Electronic badge to authenticate and track industrial vehicle operator

ABSTRACT

A system for controlling an industrial vehicle comprises an information linking device, a badge communicator, an operator badge, and a controller. The controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by identifying that an operator possessing the operator badge has approached the industrial vehicle, communicating with the server via the information linking device to authenticate the operator as authorized to operate the industrial vehicle, and pairing the operator badge with the industrial vehicle upon determining that the operator is authorized to operate the industrial vehicle. Moreover, the controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by controlling the industrial vehicle based upon a location of the operator badge relative to the industrial vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/354,304, filed Jun. 24, 2016, entitledELECTRONIC BADGE TO AUTHENTICATE AND TRACK INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to electronic systems that collectinformation related to the operation and movement of electronic badgesin industrial applications, and in particular to the use of industrialvehicles in communication with electronic badges to control theoperation of industrial vehicles and to track pedestrian movement,including the ability to authenticate and track the industrial vehicleoperator.

Wireless strategies are deployed by business operations, includingdistributors, retail stores, manufacturers, etc., to improve theefficiency and accuracy of business operations. Wireless strategies mayalso be deployed by such business operations to avoid the insidiouseffects of constantly increasing labor and logistics costs.

For instance, in a typical warehouse implementation, a forklift truck isequipped with a communications device that links a correspondingforklift truck operator to a management system executing on anassociated computer enterprise via a wireless transceiver. Essentially,the communications device is used as an interface to the managementsystem to direct the tasks of the forklift truck operator, e.g., byinstructing the forklift truck operator where and/or how to pick, pack,put away, move, stage, process or otherwise manipulate items within afacility.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a system for controllingan industrial vehicle comprises an information linking device, a badgecommunicator, an operator badge, and a controller. The informationlinking device wirelessly communicates with a server over a firstwireless communication link. The badge communicator communicates withelectronic badges that are in short range proximity of the industrialvehicle over a second communication link different from the firstcommunication link. The operator badge is worn by the operator of theindustrial vehicle. Moreover, the controller is coupled to memory, suchthat the controller executes program code stored in the memory tocontrol the operating state of the industrial vehicle based upon theoperator badge. More particularly, the controller controls theindustrial vehicle operating state by identifying that an operatorpossessing the operator badge has approached the industrial vehicle tolog onto the industrial vehicle, communicating with the server via theinformation linking device to authenticate the operator as authorized tooperate the industrial vehicle, and pairing the operator badge with theindustrial vehicle upon determining that the operator is authorized tooperate the industrial vehicle. Moreover, the controller controls theindustrial vehicle operating state by controlling the industrial vehiclebased upon a location of the operator badge relative to the industrialvehicle. Particularly the operating state of the industrial vehicle iscontrolled by turning on the industrial vehicle when the badgecommunicator detects the operator badge on the industrial vehicle,placing the industrial vehicle in a standby mode where the badgecommunicator detects the operator badge in proximity to the industrialvehicle, but not on the industrial vehicle, and placing the industrialvehicle in a stop mode when the badge communicator no longer detects theoperator badge in proximity to the industrial vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for operating industrial vehicles,according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system of electronics on an industrialvehicle such as a forklift truck, which includes an information linkingdevice, an environmental-based location tracking device, and a badgecommunicator, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating various technologies ofcommunication in an environment in which industrial vehicles operate,according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the use of dynamic zones forbadge communication according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating several working examples ofelectronic badge interactions according to aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an example graphical user interface for programming zonebehavior according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process of indirectly trackingelectronic badges from the perspective of an industrial vehicle;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of indirectly trackingelectronic badges from the perspective of a server computer;

FIG. 9 is an example graphical user interface illustrating a simplifieddatabase of data collected by a fleet of industrial vehicles operatingin an environment to indirectly track electronic badges according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an example graphical user interface illustrating a movementmap of a selected electronic badge collected in the database of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an example customized awarenesszone based upon an expected travel path of an industrial vehicle;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the use of electronic badges toimplement a geo-based notification system;

FIG. 13 is a simplified representation of a graphical user interface ofan industrial vehicle, which illustrates detected electronic badges;

FIG. 14 is a simplified representation of a graphical user interface ofan industrial vehicle, which illustrates the use of electronic badges toimplement or augment geo-based location capabilities;

FIG. 15 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating the use of safezones within awareness zones;

FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic representation of a “picker around”pass-around maneuver of an industrial vehicle;

FIG. 17 is a simplified schematic representation of a pass maneuver ofan industrial vehicle;

FIG. 18 is a simplified schematic representation of the use ofelectronic badges to create information including a heat map, e.g., toimplement a detour for approaching industrial vehicles, etc.;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example electronic badge according toaspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a computer processing system capable ofimplementing any of the systems or processes (or subsets thereof)described more fully herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, systems andcomputer-implemented processes provide communication between electronicbadges operating in a constrained environment such as a warehouse andbadge communicators on industrial vehicles also operating in theconstrained environment. The disclosure herein improves the technologiesof industrial vehicles, machine-to-machine communication, and wirelesselectronic proximity detection. In particular, various aspects of thepresent disclosure address the technical problem of proximity detectionby providing a technical solution that comprises augmenting localizedshort-range wireless communication with environmental-based locationinformation, industrial vehicle operational information, domain-levelinformation, etc., combinations thereof, as set out in greater detailherein.

The technical solutions herein bring about several technical effects,including automated electronic badge tracking, improvedmachine-to-machine communication, and improved environmental andsituational awareness between industrial vehicles and electronic badges.Moreover, the above technologies are improved by enabling industrialvehicles to work together, collectively and indirectly trackingelectronic badges over time where movement of the electronic badges maketracking thereof impractical with other technologies.

The disclosure herein also improves the technologies of industrialvehicles and machine-to-machine communication by fusing togethermultiple independent sensor/data processing technologies to enableindustrial vehicles to dynamically detect, locate, and make decisionsbased upon the local presence of electronic badges in close proximity to(e.g., within 15-20 meters) an industrial vehicle. In practice, theproximity of the detection range will be dependent on a number offactors, such as the technology used in tracking the badges (UWB(ultra-wide band), Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), Bluetooth, etc.), power ofthe transmitter, etc. As such, the range of 15-20 meters is by way ofillustration only. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG,Inc., a Delaware corporation, located at 5209 Lake Washington Boulevard,Suite 350, Kirkland, Wash. 98033.

The systems and computer-implemented processes herein dramaticallyreduce the likelihood of false alarms compared to conventional proximitydetection alone, which can identify that a pedestrian is nearby, butcannot contextualize a situation to discern whether to inform a vehicleoperator of the pedestrian's nearby presence.

Various systems, processes, hardware configurations, etc., are describedherein by way of example and with reference to the FIGURES. In practicalapplications, any one or more of the various disclosed features,embodiments, processes, capabilities, hardware configurations, etc., canbe implemented in any combination or combinations thereof.

System Overview:

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a generaldiagram of a system 100 is illustrated according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The illustrated system 100 is a special purpose(particular) computing environment that includes a plurality of hardwareprocessing devices (designated generally by the reference 102) that arelinked together by one or more network(s) (designated generally by thereference 104).

The network(s) 104 provides communications links between the variousprocessing devices 102 and may be supported by networking components 106that interconnect the processing devices 102, including for example,routers, hubs, firewalls, network interfaces, wired or wirelesscommunications links and corresponding interconnections, cellularstations and corresponding cellular conversion technologies (e.g., toconvert between cellular and TCP/IP, etc.). Moreover, the network(s) 104may comprise connections using one or more intranets, extranets, localarea networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless networks(Wi-Fi), the Internet, including the world wide web, cellular and/orother arrangements for enabling communication between the processingdevices 102, in either real time or otherwise (e.g., via time shifting,batch processing, etc.).

A processing device 102 can be implemented as a server, personalcomputer, laptop computer, netbook computer, purpose-driven appliance,special purpose computing device and/or other device capable ofcommunicating over the network 104. Other types of processing devices102 include for example, personal data assistant (PDA) processors, palmcomputers, cellular devices including cellular mobile telephones andsmart telephones, tablet computers, an electronic control unit (ECU), adisplay of the industrial vehicle, etc.

Still further, a processing device 102 is provided on one or moreindustrial vehicles 108 such as a forklift truck, reach truck, stockpicker, automated guided vehicle, turret truck, tow tractor, riderpallet truck, walkie stacker truck, etc. In the example configurationillustrated, the industrial vehicles 108 wirelessly communicate throughone or more access points 110 to a corresponding networking component106, which serves as a connection to the network 104. Alternatively, theindustrial vehicles 108 can be equipped with Wi-Fi, cellular or othersuitable technology that allows the processing device 102 on theindustrial vehicle 108 to communicate directly with a remote device(e.g., over the networks 104).

The illustrative system 100 also includes a processing deviceimplemented as a server 112 (e.g., a web server, file server, and/orother processing device) that supports an analysis engine 114 andcorresponding data sources (collectively identified as data sources116). The analysis engine 114 and data sources 116 provide domain-levelresources to the industrial vehicles 108. Moreover, the data sources 116store data related to activities of the industrial vehicles 108,including captured events, industrial vehicle encounters with electronicbadges and geo-features, combinations thereof, etc., as described ingreater detail herein.

In an exemplary implementation, the data sources 116 include acollection of databases that store various types of information relatedto an operation (e.g., a warehouse, distribution center, retail store,manufacturer, etc.). However, these data sources 116 need not beco-located. In the illustrative example, the data sources 116 includedatabases that tie processes executing for the benefit of theenterprise, from multiple, different domains. In the illustratedexample, data sources 116 include an industrial vehicle informationdatabase 118 (supporting processes executing in an industrial vehicleoperation domain), a warehouse management system (WMS) 120 (supportingprocesses executing in WMS domain that relate to movement and trackingof goods within the operating environment), a human resources managementsystem (HRMS) 122 (supporting processes executing in an HRMS domain), ageo-feature management system 124 (supporting processes that utilizeenvironmental-based location tracking data of industrial vehicles in ageo-domain), etc. The above list is not exhaustive and is intended to beillustrative only.

Still further, the industrial vehicles 108 include a short range, directcommunication with electronic badges 126 that can be remote, but inrelatively close proximity (by way of example, 15-20 meters) to acorresponding industrial vehicle 108. Electronic badges 126 can also bepositioned on machines, fixtures, equipment, other objects, anindustrial vehicle operator, combinations thereof, etc., as will bedescribed in greater detail herein.

In certain illustrative implementations, the industrial vehicles 108themselves can communicate directly with each other via electronic badgecommunicator technology, e.g., via a short-range direct communicationlink, thus forming a mesh network, or temporary mesh network.

One or more of the industrial vehicles 108 can also include an optionalenvironmental-based location tracking device that works with a locationtracking system schematically represented by 128, which allows positiondetermination of the industrial vehicle 108, even when operating indoorswhere a traditional global positioning system (GPS) is ineffective. Aswill be described in greater detail herein, environmental-based locationtracking can be utilized to effectively map and track the location of anindustrial vehicle 108 in a dimensionally constrained environment, e.g.,a mapped indoor portion of a warehouse.

Industrial Vehicle:

Referring to FIG. 2, one or more industrial vehicles 108 include aprocessing device 102 that is implemented as a special purpose,particular computer, (further designated herein as an informationlinking device 202) that mounts to or is otherwise integrated with theindustrial vehicle 108 (FIG. 1).

The information linking device 202 comprises the necessary circuitry toimplement wireless communication, data and information processing, andwired (and optionally wireless) communication to components of theindustrial vehicle 108. As a few illustrative examples, the informationlinking device 202 includes a transceiver 204 for wirelesscommunication. Although a single transceiver 204 is illustrated forconvenience, in practice, one or more wireless communicationtechnologies may be provided. For instance, the transceiver 204communicates with a remote server, e.g., server 112 of FIG. 1, via802.11.xx across the access points 110 of FIG. 1. The transceiver 204may also optionally support other wireless communication, such ascellular, Bluetooth, infrared (IR) or any other technology orcombination of technologies. For instance, using a cellular to IP bridgethe transceiver 204 can use a cellular signal to communicate directlywith a remote server, e.g., a manufacturer server across a network 104(FIG. 1).

The information linking device 202 also comprises a control module 206,having a processor coupled to memory for implementing computerinstructions, including computer-implemented processes, or aspectsthereof, as set out and described more fully herein. The control module206 communicates with the components set forth in FIG. 2 described morefully herein making the information linking device 202 a particularmachine different from a general-purpose computer. For instance, thecontrol module 206 utilizes the transceiver 204 to exchange informationwith a remote server 112 (FIG. 1) for controlling operation of theindustrial vehicle 108, for remotely storing information extracted fromthe industrial vehicle 108, etc.

The information linking device 202 further includes power enablingcircuitry 208 controlled by the control module 206 to selectively enableor disable the industrial vehicle 108 (or alternatively, to selectivelyenable or disable specific control modules or vehicle functions such ashydraulic, traction, etc.). For instance, the control module 206 cancontrol the industrial vehicle power enabling circuitry 208 to providepower to the industrial vehicle 108, select components of the industrialvehicle 108, select vehicle functions, etc. via power line 210, e.g.,based upon operator login, detected geo-features, etc.

Still further, the information linking device 202 includes a monitoringinput output (I/O) module 212 to communicate via wired or wirelessconnection to peripheral devices attached to or otherwise mounted on theindustrial vehicle 108, such as sensors, meters, encoders, switches,etc. (collectively represented by reference numeral 214). The module 212may also be connected to other devices, e.g., third party devices 216such as RFID scanners, displays, meters or other devices. This allowsthe control module 206 to obtain and process information monitored onthe industrial vehicle 108.

The information linking device 202 is coupled to and/or communicateswith other industrial vehicle system components via a suitable vehiclenetwork bus 218. The vehicle network bus 218 is any wired or wirelessnetwork, bus or other communications capability that allows electroniccomponents of the industrial vehicle 108 to communicate with each other.As an example, the vehicle network bus 218 may comprise a controllerarea network (CAN) bus, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), time-triggereddata-bus protocol (TTP) or other suitable communication technology.

As will be described more fully herein, utilization of the vehiclenetwork bus 218 enables seamless integration of the control module 206and other components of the information linking device 202 into nativeelectronics of the industrial vehicle 108. In the example configuration,the control module 206 of the information linking device 202 connectswith, understands and is capable of communication with native vehicleelectronic components, such as traction controllers, hydrauliccontrollers, modules, devices, bus enabled sensors, displays, lights,light bars, sound generating devices, headsets, microphones, hapticdevices, etc. (collectively referred to by reference 220).

Environmental-Based Location Tracking

According to yet further aspects of the present disclosure, anenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 is provided on theindustrial vehicle 108. As illustrated, the environmental-based locationtracking device 222 is connected to the vehicle electronics via thevehicle network bus 218 (e.g., CAN bus). As a result, theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 can communicatedirectly with the control module 206, as well as other devices linked tothe vehicle network bus 218 of the corresponding industrial vehicle 108.The environmental-based location tracking device 222 enables theindustrial vehicle 108 to be spatially aware of its location within adimensionally constrained environment, e.g., a mapped portion of awarehouse.

In the applications described more fully herein, a conventionaltechnology such as a global positioning system (GPS) is not likely to beeffective when the industrial vehicle 108 is operated indoors. However,the environmental-based location tracking device 222 can comprise alocal awareness system that utilizes markers, including fiducialmarkers, RFID, beacons, lights, or other external devices to allowspatial awareness within the warehouse environment. Moreover, localawareness can be implemented by machine vision guidance systems, e.g.,using one or more cameras. The environmental-based location trackingdevice 222 may also/alternatively use transponders and triangulationcalculations to determine position. Yet further, the environmental-basedlocation tracking device 222 can use combinations of the above and/orother technologies to determine the current (real-time) position of theindustrial vehicle 108. As such, the position of the industrial vehicle108 can be continuously ascertained (e.g., every second or less) incertain implementations. Alternatively, other sampling intervals can bederived to continuously (e.g., at discrete defined time intervals,periodic or otherwise constant and recurring time intervals, intervalsbased upon interrupts, triggers or other measures) determine industrialvehicle position over time.

The environmental-based location tracking device 222 can also useknowledge read from inertial sensors, vehicle sensors, encoders,accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc., (e.g., via the controllers 220 acrossthe vehicle network bus 218, via sensors 214 and/or third party devices216 across the monitoring I/O 212 and vehicle network bus 218, etc.) todetermine the position of the industrial vehicle 108 within thewarehouse and/or to augment or modify the position determination fromthe location tracking device 222.

The environmental-based location tracking device 222 is aware of theabsolute position of the industrial vehicle 108 within a dimensionallylimited environment, e.g., a mapped portion of a warehouse. By“absolute” position, it is meant that the vehicle position is knownrelative to a map. The map may be a regional area, e.g., only a portionof an indoor facility such as a warehouse. Absolute position is to bedifferentiated from relative or offset position. A relative offsetposition can be a general description of an offset distance, e.g., 2meters away, without also knowing the direction of the offset.Alternatively, the relative offset position can be a general descriptionof a direction without a distance, e.g., towards the power unit of theindustrial vehicle 108, without knowing the precise distance. In otherexamples, the relative offset position can be a precise measure of bothoffset and direction, 2 meters away in direction X, Y, Z. In thissituation, orientation or a standardized reference plane should beestablished to ensure that offset position is accurately translated toabsolute position, and vice-versa. In certain illustrativeimplementations, the absolute position of the industrial vehicle may beknown, but orientation may be unknown. In other implementations,orientation and absolute position are known.

Badge Communicator

The information linking device 202 also communicates with a badgecommunicator 224. The badge communicator 224 includes a transceiver forshort range communication with suitably configured electronic badges(e.g., electronic badge 126 of FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the badgecommunicator 224, e.g., by way of non-limiting example, in the range ofabout 15-20 meters or less. The badge communicator 224 can communicateusing any proprietary or standardized communication protocol includingBluetooth (over IEEE 802.15.1), ultra-wideband (UWB, over IEEE802.15.3), ZigBee (over IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi (over IEEE 802.11), WiMax(over IEEE 802.16), etc.

In certain illustrative implementations, the electronic badges are to beworn by pedestrians, workers, industrial vehicle operators, etc.Moreover, electronic badges can be mounted to mobile equipment,industrial vehicles or other moving objects. As such, electronic badgesare also referred to herein as mobile badges when used in the context ofan electronic badge that is not anticipated to remain stationary. On theother hand, certain electronic badges may be stationary, such as wheremounted to the end of an aisle, on racking, above doorways or nearbreakrooms, or in other situations where the electronic badge is notintended to move. As such, electronic badges are also referred to hereinas stationary badges when used in the context of an electronic badgethat is anticipated to remain stationary.

In certain illustrative implementations, the badge communicator 224includes at least three antennae 226. The availability of multipleantennae 226 allows not only signal detection, but also positioningwithin the detection region. Here, the badge communicator 224 computesposition via time of flight calculations, phase calculations, receivedsignal strength calculations, time difference of arrival/laterationand/or other techniques that can be used to determine the direction ofthe communication with a corresponding electronic badge 126 (FIG. 1). Inpractice, the antennae 226 can each communicate with the badgecommunicator 224 across the vehicle network bus 218, thus allowingflexibility in the placement of the antennae on the industrial vehicle108, which can include placement remote from the badge communicator 224itself. For instance, each antenna 226 can be mounted on an overheadguard, power unit, work assist bar, structural component, pole, etc.Moreover, each antenna 226 can be mounted on a differentlocation/structure of the industrial vehicle.

As illustrated, the badge communicator 224 is connected to the vehicleelectronics via the vehicle network bus 218 (e.g., CAN bus). As aresult, the badge communicator 224 can communicate directly with thecontrol module 206, as well as controllers and other modules 220 of thecorresponding industrial vehicle 108. Thus, the badge communicator 224can pass information related to the detection of proximate electronicbadges 126 to the control module 206 of the information linking device202. The control module 206 of the information linking device 202 canthen process the received information related to the detection ofproximate electronic badges 126, send commands to vehicle controllersand modules 220, take action based upon a known location of theindustrial vehicle 108 via information collected from theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222, pass information backto the badge communicator 224, communicate the collected information toa remote server (e.g., server 112 of FIG. 1), take action based uponinformation received from the remote server, combinations of thereof,etc.

In yet further configurations, an electronic badge 126 (or equivalentfunctions thereof) can be added to the industrial vehicle, integratedinto the badge communicator 224, etc. This allows the industrial vehicle108 to broadcast an ID to other badge communicators nearby, and toinitiate communications through the local communications capabilities ofthe badge communicator 224.

Independent Wireless Communication

Referring to FIG. 3, an example environment 300 illustrates multiple,independent communications paths and corresponding communicationcapabilities of an industrial vehicle 108, which provide an enhancedlevel of information and decision ability. As noted more fully withreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an industrial vehicle 108 includes aprocessing device implemented as an information linking device 202,which communicates wirelessly to a server 112 through one or more accesspoints 110 that are spread out across an environment, e.g., a warehouse.This provides a first wireless connection that links the industrialvehicle 108 to an enterprise, which may comprise a fleet of vehiclesspread across one or more locations, e.g., operating within a warehouse.

Moreover, where the server 112 is connected to the internet (FIG. 1),the industrial vehicle 108 can access other resources, such as amanufacturer's website. Alternatively, the information linking device202 can have direct access outside the enterprise via a cellular device,etc. Regardless, this first communications link provides domain levelaccess to information managed by one or more remote servers 112. Inother words, through the information linking device 202, the industrialvehicle 108 can be customized and/or become aware of the environment inwhich the industrial vehicle 108 operates at one or more server-defineddomain levels.

As an illustrative example, a manager interacting with a graphical userinterface via the server computer 112 can customize parameters viaserver software, which are wirelessly communicated to the industrialvehicle 108. Such parameters can be used to remotely configure vehicleset points, communicate messages (e.g., commands, control data,operational data, etc.,) or a combination thereof, at a truck domainlevel. The information linking device 202 (e.g., via the control module206) reads these parameters and customizes the industrial vehicle viacommunication across the vehicle network bus (e.g., 218 FIG. 2) to setlimitations, restrictions, capabilities, of the industrial vehicle,instruct the operator, etc. Customizations can also be based at thedomain level for the enterprise, such as to set parameters based uponthe operator logged into the industrial vehicle, policies of theenterprise hosting the domain, etc. Similarly, the wireless network canbe used to communicate warehouse management data such as pickinstructions, etc., at a WMS domain level, from the server 112 to theindustrial vehicle 108.

Independently, the environmental-based location tracking device 222tracks the location of the industrial vehicle 108 within the warehousewhere the industrial vehicle 108 is operated. Here, theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 utilizes at least onefeature detectable within the defined environment to identify anabsolute position of the industrial vehicle 108 over a second wirelesscommunication link, where the absolute position is determined within abounded and space limited environment—e.g., a mapped portion of awarehouse. Thus, the environmental-based location tracking device 222has environmental awareness to the extent that the industrial vehicle108 (or at least the server 112) has a map that identifies its position.

Because the information linking device 202 and the environmentallocation tracking device 222 communicate over the vehicle network bus218 (FIG. 2), the location of the industrial vehicle 108 within thewarehouse can be passed back to the server 112, e.g., via thetransceiver 204.

The badge communicator 224 communicates with electronic badges 126 thatare in short range proximity of the industrial vehicle 108 on a thirdcommunication link different from the first communication link of theinformation linking device 202 and the second communication link of theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222. For instance, asschematically illustrated, the detection range 302 of the badgecommunicator 224 overlaps the antenna(e) of the mobile badge 126.Likewise, the detection range 304 of the electronic badge 126 overlapsthe antenna(e) of the badge communicator 224, thus enablingcommunication there-between.

In certain implementations, the badge communicator 224 may only be ableto detect the presence of a nearby electronic badge 126. In furtherimplementations, a general direction can be discerned, e.g., to thefront of the industrial vehicle 108 or to the rear of the industrialvehicle 108. However, where multiple antennae 226 are provided for thebadge communicator 224 (see FIG. 2), presence, distance, and directionof a nearby electronic badge 126 are determined. For instance, distance,direction (such as a relative angle) or both are computed bytriangulation based upon information received at the multiple antennae226 (FIG. 2).

In this regard, the term “localized” refers to dynamic communicationthat is specific to a particular badge communicator 224 on a particularindustrial vehicle 108 coming in short range of an electronic badge 126.Although only one electronic badge 126 is illustrated for simplicity ofdiscussion, the badge communicator 224 is capable of communicating withany/all electronic badges 126 that are within suitable range of thebadge communicator 224 (optionally up to some reasonable limit).

Notably, in an illustrative implementation, the environmental-basedlocation tracking device 222 is agnostic to the location/proximity ofthe electronic badge 126 detected by the badge communicator 224.However, the environmental-based location and tracking device 222 candetect the absolute position of the industrial vehicle 108 and is thusaware of static environmental constraints, e.g., via a map that islimited to a pre-mapped section of a warehouse. Here, “staticenvironmental constraints” includes features such as warehouse aislelocations, rack locations, lanes, docks, and other features.

On the other hand, the badge communicator 224 is agnostic to theabsolute position of the industrial vehicle 108, e.g., detected by theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 within the environment(e.g., warehouse) detected by the environmental-based location trackingdevice 222, but is aware of the relative position of nearby electronicbadge(s) 126.

In an example implementation, where the badge communicator 224 detectsan electronic badge 126, the badge communicator 224 communicates thedistance and relative angle information (local relative position of thebadge) to the control module 206 of the information linking device 202.The control module 206 of the information linking device 202 extractsvehicle operational information, such as from the monitoring I/O module212, third party devices 214, controllers 220, etc. The informationcontrol module 206 of the linking device 202 also extracts the absolutevehicle position from the environmental-based location tracking device222. The control module 206 of the information linking device 202 canalso extract different types of domain level information by interactingwith the server 112 via the transceiver 204. In response to thecollected information, the control module 206 of the information linkingdevice 202 can cause the industrial vehicle 108 to take appropriateaction. In this regard, the control module 206 synthesizes the collectedinformation to carry out enhanced situational awareness responses to thecomplete environment and circumstances.

For instance, where the information linking device 202 extractsindustrial vehicle information such as drive direction (power unit orforks forward), steer angle, load weight, height of forks, speed,vehicle position, a combination thereof, etc., the control module 206 ofthe information linking device 202 can use rules, e.g., preprogrammed bythe server 112, to send the appropriate warnings to the vehicleoperator, to control the industrial vehicle 108, to modify performancecapabilities of the industrial vehicle 108, etc., in response todetecting nearby electronic badges 126. Thus, by determining actions andreactions, such as by extracting information across the vehicle bus 218,the information linking device 202 can cause electronics on or near theindustrial vehicle 108 to provide visual cues, audible warnings, etc.,to actively influence vehicle functions and operation.

Data Exchange

Referring to the FIGURES generally, in certain illustrativeimplementations, when an electronic badge 126 is in the detection rangeof the badge communicator 224, an exchange of information begins. Theexchange can be unidirectional (e.g., from the electronic badge 126 tothe badge communicator 224) or bi-directional. In an illustrativeexample, the electronic badge 126 communicates a badge identification(badge ID) to the badge communicator 224. In addition, the electronicbadge 126 can optionally transmit a timestamp and/or a message basedupon a critical situation, e.g., battery low, detected damage, etc. Theelectronic badge 126 can also serve as a personal monitor, measuring andrecording the heartrate of the pedestrian, steps taken, serve as a shockcounter, etc. Such monitored data can also be communicated to the badgecommunicator 224.

The badge communicator 224 forwards the collected information to theinformation linking device 202, which logs the collected information,conveys the collected information to the server 112, or takes otherappropriate action. Moreover, the electronic badge 126 can vibrate,flash a light, or provide other indicia to convey information, or toindicate that information has been electronically transmitted.

Zone Ranging

As described herein, “zones” can be described in different contexts. Forinstance, a “detection zone” defines a physical zone that enablescommunication between a badge communicator 224 and a correspondingelectronic badge 126. Thus, a detection zone is typically determined bythe range, strength, and directionality of the transmitter/receiverinteraction of a badge communicator 224 and a corresponding electronicbadge 126.

An “awareness zone” is a zone, such as an arbitrary, virtual zone thatis contained within and can extend up to, but not beyond a correspondingdetection zone. Since an awareness zone is virtual, a given awarenesszone can take any desired shape only constrained by the correspondingdetection zone. According to aspects of the present disclosure, anawareness zone for detecting an electronic badge 126 by the badgecommunicator 224 in proximity of the industrial vehicle 108 can bedynamically altered based upon predetermined criteria. The modificationof at least one awareness zone is referred to herein as zone ranging.

Zone Ranging Based Upon Speed

In an example implementation, the size of the awareness zone dynamicallychanges based upon vehicle speed. As an example, the information linkingdevice 202 communicates with the vehicle control module 220 (or otherappropriate vehicle module, sensor, etc.) via the vehicle network bus218 to obtain the speed of the industrial vehicle 108. The greater thespeed, the greater the size of the zone. The information linking device202 can also compute speed based upon location tracking. For instance,the information linking device 202 can obtain data points from theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 and compute the vehiclespeed based upon the known positions of the vehicle, and the time atwhich each location sample was collected.

In a first example implementation, the transceiver range of the badgecommunicator 224 is fixed. For instance, the badge communicator 224 mayalways detect for electronic badges 126 within a 20-meter radius (as anexample). Thus, the detection zone is a 20-meter radius in this example.However, the control module 206 of the information linking device 202sets a virtual range that is arbitrary, but within the badgecommunicator range. This allows the control module 206 of theinformation linking device 202 to establish an ad-hoc virtual patternfor an awareness zone limited only by the detection range of the badgecommunicator 224.

In an example implementation, the information linking device 202 sends acommand to the badge communicator 224 to set the size of the detectionrange based upon the vehicle speed. The badge communicator 224 in thisexample, can adjust the detection range by controlling power of thebadge communicator 224, thus altering the detection zone.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another example implementation, a schematicrepresentation illustrates a detection zone 402, and a virtual zone thatcan be set to either a first awareness zone 404 or a second awarenesszone 406. When the industrial vehicle 108 is below a predetermined speedthreshold, e.g., stopped or traveling at a slow speed, e.g., less than afirst predetermined speed such as 1 mile per hour (about 1.6 kilometersper hour), the virtual zone may be defined by the first awareness zone404, which may have a limited range, e.g., a two-meter radius around theindustrial vehicle 108. Note in this example that the pedestrian 408 iswithin the detection zone 402 that sets limits to the detection range ofthe badge communicator 224. As such, the badge communicator 224 detectsthe pedestrian 408 (wearing an electronic badge 126 of FIG. 1) andrecords the encounter with the pedestrian 408. However, pedestrian 408is judged to be outside the virtual zone (first awareness zone 404). Assuch, the information linking device 202 may decide to take no action,or the information linking device 202 may initiate feedback to thevehicle operator, e.g., to flash a white or yellow light indicationcaution.

In the example of FIG. 4, assume now that the speed of the industrialvehicle 108 exceeds the predetermined speed threshold. In this example,the virtual zone can be increased, e.g., to 16 meters (denoted by thesecond awareness zone 406). In this example, a pedestrian 408 is withinthe second awareness zone 406. As such, the information linking device202 takes an appropriate action, e.g., to sound a tone, flash a light,display the detection of the pedestrian 408 on display screen, modifyoperation of the industrial vehicle 108, or take other appropriateaction, examples of which are set out in greater detail herein. Theencounter with the pedestrian 408 is likewise recorded.

Although shown with two example awareness zones, in practice, any numberof awareness zones can be implemented. Moreover, the awareness zone sizeand/or shape can continuously change, e.g., based upon speed. Moreover,since the awareness zone is virtual, its shape is not limited to acircular radius. Rather, any arbitrary shape can be defined. In certainimplementations, in order for the zone range to be virtual, the badgecommunicator 224 has to be able to discern not only the proximity of themobile badge 126, but also the distance of the badge to the badgecommunicator. Precise direction however, need not be implemented,depending upon the shape of the virtual zone.

Feedback

Due to the nature of the communication between the electronic badges 126and the badge communicator 224, the detection of an electronic badge 126can result in the vehicle operator receiving a warning (e.g., visual,audible, tactile, etc.). The electronic badge 126 can also providefeedback, e.g., to the pedestrian carrying the electronic badge 126 viaa visual, audible, tactile, etc. feedback. Moreover, the feedbacks neednot be the same or occur at the same time. For instance, it may bedesirable to warn a pedestrian but not a vehicle operator. Likewise, itmay be desirable to warn the vehicle operator, but not the pedestrian,such as where the pedestrian appears to be on a path that leads thepedestrian out of the way of the industrial vehicle 108. This can behelpful to reduce false alarms, thus improving the accountability to thesystem.

Additional Example Zone Ranging Techniques

Referring to the FIGURES generally, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure, zone ranging can be implemented based upon criteria otherthan speed. Moreover, zone ranging can be based upon more than onecriteria. By way of example, zone ranging may be based upon drive/traveldirection. Certain industrial vehicles 108 can travel in a forks-firstor power unit-first direction. The mast or other features of theindustrial vehicle 108 may affect the visibility of the vehicle operatorsuch that driving forks-first presents a different range of visioncompared to driving power unit-first. As such, travel direction andvehicle orientation may affect zone ranging. For instance, an awarenesszone may be larger in forward direction of travel compared to the areabehind the industrial vehicle 108. However, if the system detects thatthe industrial vehicle 108 is traveling forks-first with a mono-mast,the forward awareness zone range in the center of the truck may beincreased where a range of vision is possible to be obscured. Likewise,if the mast is off to the side, then the side lobes of the awarenesszone may be increased, e.g., within the limits of the associateddetection zone.

Correspondingly, if the industrial vehicle 108 is traveling powerunit-first and the view is unobstructed, then an awareness zone may beconfigured according to a first profile in the forward direction, but ifthe operator is in a side-seat configuration and must rotate his/herhead to view the travel direction, then the awareness zone may beconfigured according to a second, different profile which enlarges thearea most in the periphery of the vehicle operator. Thus, drivedirection, knowledge of the geometry of the industrial vehicle 108, andknowledge of the vehicle orientation can all be taken into considerationwhen defining the zone range. Similarly, features such as lift height,steer angle, etc., can be considered. By way of example, the locationsand orientations of awareness zones can change based upon the liftheight, truck load, or a combination thereof. As an example, the higherand/or heavier the load, the larger the awareness zone.

Zone ranging can be based upon a combination of factors. For instance,by knowing the position (direction and angle) of a detected electronicbadge 126 from the badge communicator 224, and by knowing the vehiclespeed, steer angle, travel direction, load, and height of the forks fromthe information linking device 202, a customized awareness zone rangecan be computed. Thus, for instance, drive direction and steer angle canbe linked to a warning zone.

As yet another example, dynamic zones can be created that account forthe specifics of a vehicle or vehicle type. For instance, in an exampleconfiguration, the range and direction of the awareness zone isdependent upon vehicle speed, driving direction, truck type and steerangle. This allows the information linking device 202, e.g., viainformation received from the server 112, to take standard vehicleperformance, such as acceleration/deceleration curves, turning radius,and known parameters of the vehicle into consideration in defining thesize of the awareness zone. For instance, an awareness zone can bebiased larger in one direction to account for possible slip, turnradius, deceleration curve, etc. In this regard, the awareness zone is adynamic zone against the drive direction. This can also take intoaccount pre-programmed operator reaction time, vehicle stoppingdistance, and other factors, e.g., to set the distance of the zone aheadof the travel direction. Here, stopping distance is likely to alsofactor in the weight of a load and height of the forks. The parameterscan also take into account floor friction accounting for slippage. Thus,the length and width of a zone can vary based upon a dynamicallychanging and complex set of operating variables and conditions.Moreover, as will be described more fully herein, multiple awarenesszones can be simultaneously implemented, e.g., to account for differentresponses to detection within different awareness zones.

Multiple Zone

Referring to FIG. 5, the badge communicator 224, information linkingdevice 202, and industrial vehicle 108 can cooperate to generatemultiple simultaneous zones. This allows, for example, the utilizationof a presence zone (aware of the presence of an electronic badge 126,but will not generate a warning), a warning zone (the electronic badge126 is close enough that the industrial vehicle operator receives acommunication) and an action zone (where some control function happenson the industrial vehicle 108—e.g., set points are changed, top speed islimited, etc.).

In the illustrative example environment 500, there are three zonesdefined about the industrial vehicle 108, including a first (virtual)awareness zone 502 (defining the action zone), a second (virtual)awareness zone 504 (defining the warning zone), and a third (physical)detection zone 506 (defining the presence zone). Moreover, eachillustrated pedestrian 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 is assumed to bewearing or otherwise carrying an electronic badge 126 (FIG. 1). For sakeof example, FIG. 5 also illustrates a defined ignore zone border 518.Any detection behind zone border 518 (away from the industrial vehicle108) will be tracked, but no warnings, communications, vehicle controlor other actions will take place.

The pedestrian 508 is detected in the detection zone 506 (within thethird zone 506 but outside the second zone 504) so the encounter withthe pedestrian 508 is logged but no other specific action is taken.

The pedestrian 510 is in the warning zone 504 (inside the second zone504, but outside the first zone 502), so the information linking device202 can, for example, provide an indication to the vehicle operator,e.g., via blinking a light, initiating an audible warning, etc.,alerting the vehicle operator of the presence of the pedestrian 510.Also, since the pedestrian 510 is within the detection zone 506, theencounter with the pedestrian 510 is logged.

The pedestrian 512 is in the action zone 502, so the information linkingdevice 202 can, for example, control the industrial vehicle 108 to takeaction, e.g., by stopping the vehicle 108, initiating a strong warning,e.g., flashing a red light, sounding an alarm, etc. Also, since thepedestrian 512 is within the detection zone 506, the encounter with thepedestrian 512 is logged.

The pedestrian 514 is in the action zone, but is also behind the zoneborder 518. As such, no control response is taken, although theencounter with the pedestrian 514 is logged.

The pedestrian 516 is in the direct line of path of the forks of theindustrial vehicle, and is in the warning zone 504. However, because theindustrial vehicle 108 is traveling power unit first (as schematicallyrepresented by the arrow), there is no warning given for pedestrian 516because this pedestrian 516 is not capable of entering the moving pathof the industrial vehicle 108. As such, the encounter with thepedestrian 516 is logged, but no specific warning is provided to thevehicle operator.

Notably, the illustrated system dramatically reduces false positive andnuisance alarms by intelligently disqualifying certain pedestrians(e.g., pedestrian 514 and 516 in this example) from triggering an alarm.Moreover, certain pedestrians are far enough away to not elicit an alarm(e.g., pedestrian 508 in this example). As such, only two pedestrians510 and 512 in this example, cause the industrial vehicle 108 to issue avehicle operator warning.

As a working example of a top speed reduction application, a vehicle topspeed is dynamically altered by the system based upon whether anelectronic badge 126 is detected in a particular zone. Here, the systemis not automatically controlling the vehicle per se. Rather, the systemis changing operating set points or limits. For instance, assume none ofthe pedestrians 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 are present. If no electronicbadge 126 is detected, the top speed is unaltered.

Now, assume that the pedestrian 510 enters zone 2 (the warning zone504). When an electronic badge 126 enters a warning zone, e.g., zone 2,the vehicle operator is warned, and the top vehicle speed is reduced.This can be a step change based upon zone, or a continuous change. Forinstance, in an example implementation the maximum allowable speed isbased upon the distance from a detected electronic badge 126 to theindustrial vehicle 108. The closer the electronic badge 126, the slowerthe maximum speed. If the vehicle operator always remains below thedynamically changing maximum speed value, the vehicle operator may notnotice anything outside the warning.

Assume now, that the pedestrian 512 enters zone 1 (i.e., the action zone502). If the electronic badge 126 enters an action zone, e.g., zone 1,the industrial vehicle 108 may be reduced to the point of being stoppedor maneuvering at a slow speed. Where there is a pedestrian in theaction zone 502 and a pedestrian in the warning zone 504, the closestdetected pedestrian controls the response of the industrial vehicle 108.

In a first example implementation, the determination of the number ofzones, zone size for each zone, and conditions (which can includepriority) for each zone are set for a given application. In analternative example implementation, the determination of the number ofzones, zone size for each zone, and conditions for each zone areprogrammable.

Marker Badge

Electronic badges 126 can also be used to implement geo-based activationor de-activation of vehicle features or capabilities. In a firstillustrative example, an electronic badge 126 is converted into atemporary marker badge, e.g., a “talking cone”. For instance, by placingthe electronic badge 126 on a traffic cone, stand or other article,industrial vehicles 108 can carry out programmed functions whenproximate to the marker badge. In a first example, an electronic badge126 is assigned a unique identification (badge ID) that designates arole as a marker badge as enforcing a speed zone. As such, the top speedof the industrial vehicle 108 is reduced or otherwise regulated when theindustrial vehicle 108 is in range of the marker badge. Speedrestrictions can be set by modifying a set point so as to limit a topspeed regardless of the actual speed of the industrial vehicle 108 uponencountering the marker badge. Thus, the vehicle operator maintainscomplete control of the industrial vehicle 108, including vehicle speed.However, a maximum speed is temporarily fixed. Thus, if the operatormaintains a speed below the fixed limit, the operator may never knowthat the information linking device 202 temporarily adjusted a set pointin the vehicle operating characteristics. In alternative configurations,the information linking device 202 can take control of the industrialvehicle 108 to adjust the speed of the vehicle in response to the badgecommunicator 224 on the corresponding industrial vehicle 108 detectingthe marker badge.

As another example, a marker badge can be attached to an aisle todesignate that an aisle is temporarily closed, such as for inventoryauditing, cleaning, to designate a hazard area etc. Again, upondetecting the marker badge, the information linking device 202 can warnthe vehicle operator not to enter the aisle, or the information linkingdevice 202, can prevent the industrial vehicle 108 from entering theaisle via automated control. This can be implemented by coordination ofthe environmental-based location tracking device 222 to identify theentrance of the aisle to the control module of the information linkingdevice 202. The control module 206 then interacts with traction andsteering controllers 220 of the industrial vehicle 108 to avoid theaisle.

In yet another alternative configuration, certain industrial vehicles108 may respond in a first manner, e.g., by receiving a warning not toenter the aisle, whereas the marker badge may serve as a beacon toelicit a different response from a different industrial vehicle 108,e.g., an industrial vehicle 108 that is intended to enter the aisle,e.g., to carry out the cleanup in the present example. As such, acertain industrial vehicle 108 can be directed to the correct aisle. Inthis example, the badge communicator 224 on an industrial vehicle 108identifies the badge ID as a marker badge that is communicated to theinformation linking device 202. The information linking device 202reports the detected marker badge to the server 112. The server 112 isprogrammed by a set of rules that define the functionality of the markerbadge. In this example, the server 112 is programmed to associate aspecific industrial vehicle ID and/or operator ID with a marker badge IDas being either permissive or restrictive. The server 112 reports backto the information linking device 202, an appropriate response basedupon each ID.

Here, there can be a fixed dependency between the badge ID and afunction. Alternatively, an operator interacting with a graphical userinterface can program a designated function into an electronic badge126. The function, and the response thereto may vary based uponoperator, vehicle, vehicle type, other factors, combinations thereof,etc. For instance, if a warehouse floor manager becomes aware of aspill, a specific electronic badge 126 can be positioned at the spillsite, with a custom program to cause all industrial vehicles to take apre-programmed action when in proximity to the marker badge.

As yet another example, the electronic badges 126 can be utilized asbeacons. For instance, if the absolute position of an electronic badge126 is fixed, then an industrial vehicle encountering the electronicbadge 126 can compute its own position. This can be used to augment theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 (extend the locationtracking to an area that is currently not mapped, increase reliabilityof a separate location tracking system, or to increase a known locationconfidence factor, etc.) or to be used as an environmental-basedlocation tracking device.

Geo-Based Zone Ranging

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the industrialvehicle 108 includes an environmental-based location tracking device 222that is in communication with the information linking device 202 via thevehicle network bus 218. As such, the industrial vehicle 108 canimplement geo-zone ranging, such that vehicle position/geo-locations canbe utilized to define the zone range (or ranges). In this regard, datafrom the environmental-based location tracking device 222 is merged withdata from the badge communicator 224 via the information linking device202. As such, a parameter affecting the shape of one or more zones canautomatically dynamically adjust based upon the industrial vehicle 108traveling through geo-zones detected by the environmental-based locationtracking device 222. By way of example, assume an industrial vehicle 108drives along an aisle marked as a geo-zone of high pedestrian traffic.In response to detecting the geo-zone, the information linking device202 automatically adds one meter to the zone dimensions.

Geo-Based Process or Relaying Information

A process of relaying a condition of a limited defined environment to anindustrial vehicle 108 (e.g., implementing a talking cone) comprisesidentifying a condition in a limited defined environment (e.g., spill onthe floor, a critical intersection, etc.). The process also comprisesassociating the identified condition with a badge ID of an electronicbadge 126. This can be implemented by creating a mapping table in amemory stored by the server 112 (FIG. 1), programming condition data orcodes into a memory of the associated electronic badge, etc. The processfurther comprises programming an electronic badge based upon theidentified condition. This may be implemented simply by assigning abadge ID to the electronic badge, such as where all necessary conditiondata can be extracted from a server based upon the badge ID.Alternatively, memory in the electronic badge itself can be programmedwith special instructions, codes, etc.

Yet further, the process comprises positioning the electronic badgewithin a work area of industrial vehicles. This may comprise positioningthe electronic badge in a predefined, fixed location, such as the end ofan aisle, near a break room, on a fixed machine or structure, on amobile machine such as an industrial vehicle, etc., examples of whichare described more fully herein.

The process also comprises receiving, by a processor on an industrialvehicle, information (such as an electronic badge ID) from theelectronic badge 126 including at least one of the associated badge IDand the identified condition. For instance, as noted more fully herein,the information can be received on an industrial vehicle 108 via a badgecommunicator 224 that communicates with electronic badges 126 that arein short range proximity of the industrial vehicle 108 via a firstwireless communication link. It would also be possible to receive thisinformation from a badge communicator 224 that is not mounted on anindustrial vehicle. This could be a stationary badge communicator 224,for example near a charging station or a door. Still further, theprocess may send the electronic badge identifier to the server via aninformation linking device on the industrial vehicle, where theinformation linking device communicates with the server over a wirelesscommunication link that is different from the wireless communicationlink between the electronic badge and corresponding badge communicator.The server receives the badge identifier, and responds to the industrialvehicle with the appropriate information.

The process yet further comprises determining the condition from theinformation from the electronic badge and controlling, by the processor,the industrial vehicle to take a predetermined action based upon thedetermined condition. For instance, the industrial vehicle can use thebadge ID to look up the condition in memory, e.g., at a server, or tolook up the condition in memory stored locally on the industrialvehicle, or to look up the condition from memory stored in theelectronic badge, etc. As another example, a “condition identifier”,e.g., coded value can be stored in the electronic badge itself. Uponinitiating communication with the industrial vehicle, the electronicbadge communicates a condition code, which can be used as a lookup toidentify the condition and appropriate response.

In this regard, the processor may control the industrial vehicle to takea predetermined action based upon the determined condition, by conveyingan output to a vehicle operator of the industrial vehicle in response tothe condition information received from the electronic badge to redirecta travel path of the industrial vehicle, adjust a travel speed of theindustrial vehicle, and adjust a travel direction of the industrialvehicle. As an example, the process may convey an output such as awarning to a vehicle operator of the industrial vehicle 108 in responseto the condition information received from the electronic badge 126.

Alternatively, the process may automatically control the industrialvehicle 108 in response to the condition information received from theelectronic badge 126. For instance, the processor can control theindustrial vehicle to take a predetermined action by automaticallycontrolling the industrial vehicle in response to the conditioninformation received from the electronic badge to alter at least one oftravel speed or travel direction.

As noted above, information about the geo-based condition may beconveyed directly by the electronic badge 126, or the electronic badge126 can provide a badge ID, condition code (also referred to herein as acondition ID), etc., to the badge communicator 224 of an industrialvehicle 108, which is used as a lookup to query the server 112 for thenecessary information. In this regard, the badge itself can be agnosticto the absolute position of the placement of the badge.

Notably, the electronic badge 124 can be agnostic to a location of theprogrammed condition relative to the work area within a limited definedenvironment, e.g., portion of a warehouse.

In this example, the electronic badge can be used for a number ofapplications. For instance, the process can determine a location of theindustrial vehicle using an environmental based location tracking devicethat identifies an absolute position of the industrial vehicle withinthe limited, defined environment over a third wireless communicationlink. Here, the processor verifies the condition based on the locationof the industrial vehicle within the limited defined environmentdetermined by the absolute position of the industrial vehicle determinedby the environmental based location tracking device.

Another example application of the process is to identify a condition ina limited, defined environment as a bonded area of the work area. Here,the identified condition is associated with a badge ID by associating acondition as a permission required geo-zone. The electronic badge isstaged at a position identifying a boundary of a bonded area in the workenvironment. Accordingly, the processor of the industrial vehicle cantake a predetermined action based upon the determined condition byevaluating that the industrial vehicle has or is about to enter thebonded area, evaluating at least one credential of the vehicle operatorto determine whether the vehicle operator has authorization to enter thebonded area, and controlling, by the processor, the industrial vehicleto take an evasive maneuver to avoid the bonded area if the vehicleoperator is not judged to be authorized to enter the bonded area.

The process can also identify the condition as a temporary exclude zone.Accordingly, the processor on the industrial vehicle takes apredetermined action based upon the determined condition by extracting atime range associated with the condition, comparing a measure of currenttime with the time range, and executing instructions to avoid theexclude zone if the current time is within the time range programmed tobe associated with the electronic badge.

Server-Side Setup

Referring to FIG. 6, as an example, an operator executing a program onthe industrial vehicle application server 112 enters exampleconfiguration parameters into a graphical user interface 600. In thisexample configuration, the user interacting with the graphical userinterface 600 can enter the parameters based upon identification of atype of industrial vehicle (e.g., all rider reach trucks are configuredwith the same parameters), by individual vehicle (e.g., the sit downcounter-balance truck XYZ is configured with the entered parameters), byindividual (e.g., any vehicle that a vehicle operator with Operator ID789 logs into will have the parameters), a combination thereof, etc. Theserver 112 wirelessly communicates the entered parameters to theinformation linking device 202 of the industrial vehicle 108. Theinformation linking device 202 optionally passes the parameters to thebadge communicator 224, depending upon where the processing takes place.In the illustrated example, the user programs a vehicle, a zone 1 range,a zone 1 action, a zone 2 range (in this example, the zone 2 range isdynamic, based upon a preset baseline of 4 meters, plus a dynamicvariable determined based upon the speed of the vehicle for sake ofillustrating flexibility in the configuration of the zones). The useralso programs a zone 2 action, a zone 3 range and a zone 3 action. Otherformats, number of zones, static and/or dynamic configurations, etc.,could alternatively be implemented.

Indirect Electronic Badge Tracking

As noted above, the communication between a mobile electronic badge 126and a badge communicator 224 is localized, and thus the electronicbadges 126 themselves cannot communicate with an absolute trackingsystem such as a warehouse (or otherwise indoor) deployed locationtracking system (which may rely upon environmental-based locationtracking devices 222 having cameras, detectors and processing that istoo complex/expensive for individual electronic badges 126).

According to aspects of the present disclosure, encounters of industrialvehicles 108 with electronic badges 126 can be used to indirectly trackthe location and movement of the electronic badges 126 over time. Thisis particularly useful to transform the local relative position ofelectronic badges 126 as detected by badge communicators 224, into aknown absolute position, e.g., on a limited or otherwise constrainedmap, e.g., to track electronic badge 126 movement within a warehouse. Asnoted in greater detail herein, electronic badges can be worn bypersons, or electronic badges can be mounted to vehicles, equipment,etc. As such, a large variety of objects can be indirectly tracked.

Referring to FIG. 7, a computer-implemented process is provided ofindirectly tracking electronic badges. In this regard, thecomputer-implemented process 700 can be implemented by a processorcoupled to memory that stores instructions that when read out andexecuted by the processor, implements relevant aspects of thecomputer-implemented process 700. For instance, the process 700 can beimplemented by cooperation of the information linking device 202, theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222, and the badgecommunicator 224 (FIG. 2) on an industrial vehicle 108 moving about apre-mapped region, e.g., a mapped portion of an indoor warehouse.

The computer-implemented process 700 of indirectly tracking badges canbe carried out by a fleet of industrial vehicles 702 operating in adefined environment. As noted more fully herein, each such industrialvehicle has an information linking device that wirelessly communicateswith a server over a first wireless communication link, anenvironmental-based location tracking device that utilizes at least onefeature detectable within the defined environment to identify anabsolute position of the industrial vehicle over a second wirelesscommunication link, and a badge communicator that communicates withelectronic badges 126 that are in short range proximity of theindustrial vehicle on a third communication link different from thefirst communication link and the second communication link. The process700 comprises detecting at 704, by a select industrial vehicle in thefleet of industrial vehicles, a badge, e.g., within range of thecorresponding badge communicator.

The computer-implemented process 700 also comprises performing a badgelogging transaction in response to detecting the badge. The badgelogging transaction is performed by receiving, at 706, by the badgecommunicator, a badge identification associated with the detectedelectronic badge. For instance, the badge communicator can communicatewith a transponder of the electronic badge by communicating across thethird communication link, e.g., using a UWB radio.

The computer-implemented process 700 also comprises identifying, at 708,at least one of: the position of the select industrial vehicle and thedetected badge. More particularly, in an example configuration, theidentification at 708 comprises determining, by the badge communicator,an offset measurement of the electronic badge relative to the selectindustrial vehicle. Thus, the information linking device 202 sends tothe server 112, the industrial vehicle position and the electronic badgeoffset. The server can then compute the absolute position of theelectronic badge 126 by electronically determining a vehicle location ofthe select industrial vehicle, and identifying a badge location basedupon the determined vehicle location and the measured offset.

In another example configuration, the information linking device 202 cansend the server 112, the absolute position of the detected electronicbadge. As an example, the computer-implemented process 700 implementsthe identification at 708 by obtaining, by an environmental-basedlocation tracking device 222 (FIG. 2) on the select industrial vehicle108, the absolute location of the industrial vehicle 108 within alimited, defined environment. As noted above, the badge communicator 224(FIG. 2) generates an offset measurement of the electronic badge 126relative to the industrial vehicle 108. A badge location is thenidentified by computing an absolute location of the electronic badgebased upon the absolute location of the select industrial vehicle andthe offset measurement. For instance, the absolute location of theelectronic badge may be determined by identifying the electronic badgelocation as the absolute location of the industrial vehicle, as modifiedby a distance offset and an angle offset of the electronic badgerelative to the industrial vehicle.

The computer-implemented process 700 further comprises generating, at710, a time stamp, and wirelessly communicating, at 712, at least thebadge identification, the badge location, and the timestamp (e.g., as abadge locator message) to the server (e.g., server 112 (FIG. 1)).

Thus, the computer-implemented process 700 effectively maps relativepositions detected by the badge communicator, to absolute positions on amap associated with the environmental-based location tracking system. Assuch, electronic badges 126 can be tracked on the map of theenvironmental-based location tracking system.

Referring to FIG. 8, a computer-implemented process 800 is illustratedfor creating an indirect path of a select badge identifier on a map. Theprocess 800 can be implemented by a processor coupled to memory thatstores instructions that when read out and executed by the processor,implements relevant aspects of the process 800.

At the server computer, e.g., server 112, the server processor performsthe computer-implemented process 800 comprising collecting, at 802,badge locator messages wirelessly communicated from industrial vehiclestraveling within a constrained environment. Here, each badge locatormessage indicates that an industrial vehicle encountered an electronicbadge. The process comprises storing, at 804, for each badge locatormessage, a record comprising a time stamp, an identification of theencountered electronic badge, and a location of the electronic badge.The process still further comprises interacting with a graphical userinterface, at 806, to visually depict a map representing the constrainedenvironment, and processing, at 808, the badge locator messages tographically display a time sequence of the known locations of at leastone electronic badge 126 (e.g., as identified by the associated badgeidentifier). For instance, the graphical display can order the badgelocator messages associated with a given electronic badge 126chronologically.

Mapping can be carried out for instance, in response to a user such as awarehouse manager interacting with a graphical user interface, e.g., byselecting a particular badge identifier, such as from a menu, drop downbox, data entry box, etc. The user can also select a time window orother desired filtering characteristics. For instance, a user such as amanager may want to track a badge identifier associated with anelectronic badge 126 over the course of a predetermined time window,e.g., over the course of a shift, a few hours, or some other timelimited set of values.

The mapping is further carried out by extracting from the badge locatormessages, instances of the select badge identifier, extracting from eachextracted message, the badge location, and transforming the badgelocation of each extracted badge locator message, to a mapped positionof the select badge identifier on a map. The mapping approach furthercomprises displaying, via a graphical user interface, the map andindicia corresponding to the mapped position of the select badgeidentifier, e.g., by representing the badge as an icon tracing movementof the badge based upon the discrete “sightings” of the badge asindustrial vehicles move about a warehouse.

The computer-implemented process may further comprise computing, basedupon two sequential known positions, a predicted travel path of theelectronic badge, and displaying on the graphical user interface, thepredicted movement of the electronic badge.

Referring briefly to FIG. 9, a graphical user interface 900 illustratesa portion of a database having a plurality of records, each recordstoring information wirelessly received from industrial vehicle messagesidentifying the location of a detected electronic badge 126. Theillustrated simplified example includes for each record, a badge ID,location where the badge ID was detected, a timestamp, an identificationof the vehicle that detected the electronic badge 126, and additionalinformation.

For instance, in an example implementation, an environmental-basedlocation tracking device on a select industrial vehicle identifies theabsolute location of the industrial vehicle within a limited, definedenvironment, e.g., within a map supported by the environmental-basedlocation tracking system. The select industrial vehicle wirelesslycommunicates a message to a remote server the vehicle location, and avehicle identification as part of the message. For instance, as noted inrow 1 of the example data illustrated in FIG. 9, vehicle RR-234identified badge 123 at the top of aisle 5 at 9:00 AM. At the time,RR-234 was working on pick order 3. The location “Top of Aisle 5” ispresented solely for simplified clarity of illustration. In practice,the locations could be expressed in more defined terms, such as latitudeand longitude, X, Y, and Z coordinates, or any other coordinates. Inthis regard, the location of the badge can be expressed in absoluteterms, e.g., coordinates on the map. In another example, the location ofthe badge can be communicated to the server as the location of theindustrial vehicle and a measured offset such as a distance offset andan angle offset, e.g., coordinates X, Y shifted by Z meters in adirection of A degrees relative to a fixed coordinate system. Themeasured offset can also be expressed as a vector, etc.

Referring to FIG. 10, a graphical user interface 1000 illustrates apartial map illustrating the movement of an exemplary electronic badge126, which has been assigned a unique ID number of 123 through a portionof a warehouse based upon the records in the table of FIG. 9.

For instance, the server 112 can load a map of a defined environment,where the map has features that characterize the physical layout of thedefined environment. As an example, loading a map of a definedenvironment can be implemented by loading a map that has defined aislesthat indicate where an electronic badge 126 is allowed to navigate, andrestricted areas where the electronic badge 126 cannot navigate through,so that a predicted path must satisfy constraints of the map and acorresponding loaded profile.

By way of illustration, in the example of FIG. 10, the map shows aisles1002 (aisles 5, 6, and 7 in the simplified example—which represent forinstance, areas that indicate where the electronic badge 126 is allowedto navigate) along with restricted areas 1004, such as the longrectangles representing racking, work stations, etc. (where theelectronic badge 126 cannot navigate through). The server interacts withthe graphical user interface to load a profile that identifies movementcharacteristics of the user-selected electronic badge. For instance, thedata of FIG. 9 shows that badge 123 was in Aisle 5 at 9:00, the top ofAisle 6 at 9:05, and Aisle 7 at 9:15. The server computes predictedpaths between adjacent chronological time stamps based upon the loadedprofile, the map, and the features of the defined environment. Forinstance, the electronic badge having badge ID 123 is worn by a personwho cannot walk through the restricted area 1004. Moreover, the systemknows the rate of travel possible by the person associated with theelectronic badge having badge ID 123, and time between adjacentsightings. As such, the server 112 predicts the most likely travel pathof the person. Thus, the server 112 executes rules, constraints, etc.,that limit how the server will attempt to define the travel path of theelectronic badge having badge ID 123. The server 112 can also computeanimations, animated video and other visual approaches to illustrate thecollected data, e.g., by using information in the database records shownin FIG. 9 to query any of the data sources 116 of FIG. 1.

In this manner, the graphical user interface displays the map andindicia corresponding to the mapped position of the select badgeidentifier, and can display the indicia corresponding to the mappedposition of the select badge identifier over a predetermined time windowto show movement of the select badge identifier. Moreover, the graphicaluser interface can display a visual indicator of the select badgeidentifier at multiple positions on the map, and at each position,identify an associated time stamp or other relevant data, e.g., theindustrial vehicle that identified the electronic badge, the task thatthe industrial vehicle was performing, etc.

Also, note that in FIG. 10, each recorded position of the electronicbadge includes a pop up of metadata showing the timestamp. The data canalso show the industrial vehicle that identified the displayedelectronic badge, as well as other recorded information, e.g., extractedfrom the warehouse management system, labor management system, vehicleinformation, etc.

Although FIG. 10 shows a single electronic badge, in practice the userinterface allows the user to select one or more electronic badges,including a range of electronic badges for simultaneous display.Accordingly, the graphical user interface can be configured fordisplaying a visual representation of a mapped portion of a definedenvironment, and predicted movement of multiple electronic badgesoverlaid onto the map.

Notably, the graphical user interface can use a set of rules andknowledge of the map to predict a likely path taken by the electronicbadge 126. For instance, if the electronic badge 126 is worn by apedestrian, the pedestrian cannot walk through racking. Rather, thepedestrian is more likely to have walked down an aisle. Also, knowingaverage travel speeds, capabilities of the electronic badge 126, tasksassigned to the pedestrian (or vehicle operator or other worker) wearingthe electronic badge 126 etc., the quality of the predicted path can berefined. Yet further, the ability to calculate the absolute position ofa pedestrian enables the system to calculate not only the pose, but thevelocity, heading, and acceleration of the pedestrian from knowing theabsolute position in real-time. Thus, path estimation and pathforecasting can be implemented. Moreover, the pedestrian locationinformation can be reconciled with other data sources, e.g., a WMS, LMS,ERP or other system to validate that the pedestrian presence iswarranted in the identified locations.

In an illustrative working example, the map of FIG. 10 can be used togenerate a heat map of pedestrian locations/traffic patterns. This canlead to industrial vehicle traffic/travel optimizations that dynamicallyassign new routes based upon current conditions.

Electronic Badge Accounting

In an example implementation, the server can identify a predeterminedevent, compare a master list of all electronic badges with the collectedbadge locator messages, identify the most recent identified position ofeach electronic badge, and generate a report of each electronic badgethat is not accounted for in the collected badge locator messages. In aworking example of this, in the case of an emergency such as a fire,industrial vehicles can be staged by the exits. There could also bestationary badge communicators mounted in stationary places of thefacility such as exits and meeting points. Thus, mobile electronicbadges 126 can be counted automatically at the meeting point. Aspedestrians wearing an electronic badge 126 pass a correspondingindustrial vehicle 108 to exit the facility, the system will detect theelectronic badge 126. By comparing detected electronic badges 126 to amaster inventory, a determination can be made as to whether anyone isleft inside the building.

As another example, a badge communicator 224 can be placed at adesignated place, such as where a designated meeting place is defined incase of emergencies. If an electronic badge 126 is not accounted for,industrial vehicles traveling or otherwise staged throughout thewarehouse can identify missing electronic badges 126. Moreover, one ormore designated industrial vehicles can actually be sent out to travelthrough a facility to locate an individual without having to actuallysee the individual. In certain implementations, this can be used tocommunicate information back to the electronic badge 126, e.g., todesignate a preferred exit to use, etc. Where badge communicators areplaced within the detection range of each other, the badge communicatorscan be used to form temporary mesh networks to exchange information andto pass information back to the server 112.

Communication with an Electronic Badge

Referring to the FIGURES generally, in yet a further illustrativeexample, the system can use indirect tracking of electronic badges as ameans to trigger workflows and communications with electronic badges ora worker associated with an electronic badge. In this exampleconfiguration, a manager interacts with a graphical user interface of acomputing device to pre-define a set of rules that affect when thesystem communicates to a worker. The rules may be based upon staticinformation, dynamic information, geo-based information, domain-levelinformation, etc. Moreover, one or more rules can be associated witheither an electronic badge identification, or a worker identification.The rules can be unique per electronic badge/user, and/or one or morerules can be applied across all electronic badges/workers, subsetsthereof, etc.

A few example rules can include a rule restricting a worker from abonded area of a warehouse (geo-fence), and a rule prohibitingpedestrians from walking in a designated travel path that is reservedfor industrial vehicles. As yet another example a rule can indicate thatno more than two pedestrians can be in the same picking lane. In anotherexample, using domain-level information, such as information extractedfrom a WMS system, a rule can indicate that an operator of an industrialvehicle, who wears an electronic badge, should only step off acorresponding industrial vehicle at designated pick locations.Similarly, a pedestrian detected near a bin can be tied back to a WMSsystem to verify that the worker is in the correct location, even wherethe industrial vehicle that detects the pedestrian is not assigned tothe pick operation.

As a working example, assume that an industrial vehicle passing by arestricted area detects a pedestrian in a restricted area. Theindustrial vehicle can send the absolute position of the pedestrian tothe server, which sends an alert message either to the industrialvehicle to be forwarded to the electronic badge 126, or the server cansend a message directly to the badge. Alternatively, since theindustrial vehicle may have a local map that defines the restrictedarea, a processor on the industrial vehicle may compare a computedlocation of the electronic badge 126, and compare that information to amap such that the industrial vehicle itself recognizes that thepedestrian is standing in a restricted area (by way of the onboard mapand GEO zones), and send the alert message directly to the pedestrian.

In another example, a pedestrian wearing an electronic badge 126 is atan intersection and is supposed to stop first. A proximate industrialvehicle 108 detects the pose and path of the pedestrian, and sends awarning if the pedestrian didn't stop.

The graphical user interface can also serve as a message conveyancesystem. In this example configuration, a manager posts a message to aspecific pedestrian, which gets relayed to the pedestrian through thenearest industrial vehicle.

Vehicle Badge

Electronic badges 126 are not limited to use for pedestrians or fixedtemporary locations. Industrial vehicles 108 themselves can be equippedwith an electronic badge 126. Yet further, the vehicle operator can alsowear an electronic badge 126. This allows unique opportunities forcustomized vehicle-to-vehicle encounters in the course of operation. Forinstance, where two industrial vehicles come in close proximity of oneanother, e.g., 20 meters or less, each industrial vehicle can use itselectronic badge, vehicle operator electronic badge and correspondingbadge communicator 224 as a bridge or link to establish direct, vehicleto vehicle communication. As such, industrial vehicles 108 can pass datasets, instructions, and other information.

The ability to equip both the industrial vehicle and/or the vehicleoperator with a unique electronic badge 126 provides the ability to formmesh networks, e.g., to make both the industrial vehicle and vehicleoperator known to other close-by industrial vehicles. This isparticularly useful in areas where there is no connectivity to theserver 112. For instance, industrial vehicles can manage themselves foractions such as industrial vehicle collision warning, passing/overtakingcontrol, and other forms of traffic management independent of serverinteraction. For instance, each industrial vehicle 108 can be programmedwith a set of traffic management rules. A rule can address overtaking,passing a stopped industrial vehicle, collision avoidance rules, etc.For instance, when two industrial vehicles are in close proximity toeach other, each industrial vehicle can identify the other based uponthe vehicle badge independent of the server 112. Moreover, eachindustrial vehicle can detect the ID of the other vehicle operator, anddetermine whether the vehicle operator is on, or off the industrialvehicle, e.g., in the racks performing a pick operation.

Advanced Working Examples

To better illustrate some of the features described more fully herein,working examples are presented by way of illustration, and not by way oflimitation.

Zone Ranging Based Upon Steer Angle—Optional Look Ahead

Referring to FIG. 11, as noted more fully herein, the informationlinking device 202 is capable of creating virtual zones that candynamically change based upon vehicle operating parameters and otherinformation known to the information linking device 202, e.g.,information received from the server 112. In this working example, zoneranging decisions can be based on drive direction and steer angle. Thezone can also be based upon vehicle speed. In this working example,there are two electronic badges 126A and 126B in an intersection 1102.Both electronic badges 126A and 126B are in the detection range of thebadge communicator 224 on the industrial vehicle 108 as denoted by thedetection zone 1104. However, the information linking device 202 knowsthat the vehicle steer angle is changing, and thus the informationlinking device 202 creates a virtual zone, i.e., an awareness zone 1106that follows the steer angle. In this regard, electronic badge 126B isin the travel path of the industrial vehicle 108 but electronic badge126A is not. As such, the vehicle operator is warned about electronicbadge 126B. Moreover, electronic badge 126A is not warned (or receives a“caution” warning), even though at the instant illustrated, it appearsas if electronic badge 126A is in the direct line of the industrialvehicle 108. However, the badge communicator 224 may communicate awarning to the electronic badge 126B.

In a second working example, the information linking device 202 on theindustrial vehicle 108 can receive information from the server 112 thatthe industrial vehicle 108 needs to turn right at the intersection 1102in order to arrive at the next task destination based upon informationextracted from the warehouse management database 120. The informationlinking device 202 also receives information from theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 that the industrialvehicle 108 has entered the intersection 1102 and must turn right. Assuch, the information linking device 202 may dynamically adjust theawareness zone 1106 even before the steer angle of the vehicle isadjusted, thus implementing a look-ahead function. If the steer angle ofthe industrial vehicle is not changed, e.g., the vehicle operationstrays from the intended travel path, the information linking device 202detects the deviation, and re-directs the awareness zone 1106 based uponthe steer angle, travel direction, and optionally, speed.

In an alternative example implementation, the server acts as a centralcontroller. Based on pose estimations of where pedestrians are, theserver sends a direct warning to a pedestrian (using Wi-Fi on the badgeif so enabled) that an industrial vehicle 108 will be proximate thepedestrian, e.g., entering an aisle in 1 minute, even though theindustrial vehicle 108 is not in the aisle yet.

Notably, in the above examples, a vehicle operator is warned of apedestrian (via a corresponding electronic badge 126) even where thevehicle operator has no direct line of sight to the electronic badge126. This ability to perform advanced detection allows trafficoptimization, traffic flow control, etc. For instance, the vehicleoperator can be instructed to “keep right” when making the turn.Likewise, the pedestrian carrying the electronic badge 126 can beinstructed to move to a pedestrian walkway adjacent to the aisle.

Vehicle Generated Pedestrian Feedback

In yet another illustrative example, the industrial vehicle can providefeedback to the pedestrian/electronic badge 126 in addition to/or inlieu of feedback to the vehicle operator. For instance, horns, lights,combinations thereof, etc., can be mounted in different orientations,e.g., arrayed around the industrial vehicle 108. For instance, in anexample implementation, a horn, light, combination thereof, etc. can beprovided in each corner of the industrial vehicle 108. When the badgecommunicator 224 detects an electronic badge 126 within range of theindustrial vehicle 108, only the feedback most closely directed to theelectronic badge 126 is given. Thus, if an electronic badge 126 isforward and to the right of the power unit of an industrial vehicle 108,and the industrial vehicle 108 is traveling power unit forward, thenonly the light, horn, etc., in the right-hand corner of the operatorcompartment of the industrial vehicle 108 is activated to warn theelectronic badge 126.

The horns/lights, etc. behind and to the left of the operatorcompartment are not activated. This allows independent indicia toprovide selective warnings and/or to narrow the field/direction of thewarnings. Moreover, the intensity of the warning can modulate/changeover time. For instance, the volume of an audible message can changebased upon how close the electronic badge 126 is to the industrialvehicle 108. In an example implementation, the audible message volumereduces the closer the electronic badge 126 is to the industrial vehicle108. In another example, the intensity of light, color of light, rate offlash, etc., can be varied dynamically based upon the distance anddirection of the electronic badge 126 to the industrial vehicle 108,industrial vehicle travel path, combination thereof, etc. In yet afurther example implementation, the electronic badge 126 alert (light,horn, etc.) can be directed towards the electronic badge 126. In anexample implementation, the information linking device 202 controls ahorn to rotate according to the angle of the detected pedestrian toinitiate the message. This can be accomplished by mounting the horn forinstance, on a rotary stage. It would also be possible to mount severaldirectional horns, each having its own warning-section and eachcontrolled separately. This would provide a warning direction realizedby selective controls of several directive horns.

Geo-Marker

Referring to FIG. 12, in another illustrative example, the electronicbadges, e.g., 126A, 126B can be installed in fixed locations, e.g., atthe end of an aisle as illustrated in the environment 1200. In thisexample, the badges function as fixed badges or markers to designategeo-zones. For instance, an industrial vehicle 108 approaching the zonemay be able to travel at a first maximum speed limit (max speed SM1)when the industrial vehicle detection zone 1202 is outside of the rangeof the fixed badges 126A, 126B.

Upon entering the range of the badges (e.g., within the detection zone1202) the badge communicator 224 identifies the fixed badges 126A, 126B.The information linking device 202, using processing rules, determinesbased upon badge ID that the badges are end of aisle badges, and setsthe maximum available speed limit of the industrial vehicle 108 tosecond maximum available speed limit (max speed SM2) that is less thanthe first maximum speed limit SM1 (e.g., by setting a set point of theindustrial vehicle limiting the maximum speed). Optionally, an alarm orindicator can be activated, informing the vehicle operator of thereduced speed limit.

Optionally (or in lieu of the above), upon entering the range of thebadges within an awareness zone 1204, the badge communicator 224identifies the fixed badges 126A, 126B. The information linking device202, using processing rules, determines based upon badge ID that thebadges are end of aisle badges, and sets the maximum available speedlimit of the industrial vehicle 108 to third maximum available speedlimit (max speed SM3) that is less than the second maximum speed limitSM2. Optionally, an alarm or indicator can be activated, informing thevehicle operator of the yet further reduced speed limit.

Where the operator demonstrates suitable behavior e.g., by slowing downor maintaining a speed below the designated speed limit, the warningscan be suppressed. Moreover, where multiple ranges are provided, thesystem can implement multiple speed limit reductions, warnings, vehiclecontrol functions, etc.

As yet another example, an operator may be required to stop and/or sounda horn at the end of an aisle. The badge communicator 224 detects theend-of-aisle badge and reports this to the information linking device202. The information linking device 202 receives programming from theserver 112, that the vehicle must stop and sound a horn at the end ofthe aisle. The information linking device 202 monitors the vehiclenetwork bus 218 to determine whether the operator did in-fact stopand/or sound the horn. The information linking device logs the responseto this geo-encounter. Moreover, the information linking device 202 canreact, such as by stopping the industrial vehicle, sounding the hornautomatically, or taking some action, such as to flash a red lightinforming the operator that a warehouse procedural rule was notfollowed. Thus, the processor of the information linking device canevaluate whether the vehicle operator sounded the horn while in theend-of-aisle geo-zone and take an action in response to the evaluation,e.g., by communicating a message to the at least one of a remote servercomputer, or the vehicle operator, indicating a failure to sound thehorn, provide a positive reinforcement for operating the horn, log theoutcome, etc.

Personalized Messaging/Role Based Messaging

Referring to FIG. 13, according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, the industrial vehicle includes a graphical display 1302.The information linking device 202 receives from the server 112, a listof badge IDs, along with additional data about each badge ID. The extrainformation may comprise a plain-text name, role, etc. For instance,electronic badge 126, having a unique identification of ID44 could belinked to Jon, who is an order picker. When badge ID44 is detected in anawareness zone, the badge is displayed on the graphical display 1302,with context appropriate text and messaging. For instance, the displaycan identify not only the presence of the badge, but the personalizedidentification. As an example, a message such a “Jon is ahead, slowdown” can be provided to the vehicle operator by the information linkingdevice 202 sending a message, e.g., via the vehicle network bus 218, toa control module 220 that controls speakers, lights, displays, etc. Inan example implementation, the badge communicator 224 detects that badgeID and distance/direction, e.g., badge ID44 is 7 meters ahead at angle20 degrees. The information linking device 202, based upon informationreceived from the server 112, identifies badge ID44 as Jon, andidentifies Jon's role as “order picker”. Based upon this informationfrom the server 112, and based upon the location of Jon from the badgecommunicator 224, the information linking device 202 computes Jon'scoordinates for representation on the graphical display, determineswhether Jon is in the travel path of the industrial vehicle, andprovides the appropriate messaging. For instance, the message “Jon isahead” is played through a speaker associated with the display. Thus,the message, response, etc., can vary based upon the role of thedetected badge. The above is merely illustrative of the types ofcustomized messages, visual cues and audible cues that the system iscapable of generating.

Referring to FIG. 14, in yet another example implementation, by placingan electronic badge 126 at a strategic location within the constrainedenvironment (such as the example of FIG. 12), the badge communicator 224can either replace or augment the environmental-based location trackingdevice 222. For instance, there may be areas of a warehouse where theenvironmental-based location tracking technology cannot reliablydetermine position, e.g., due to interference, lack or range, limits ofthe technology, etc. However, the ability of the badge communicator 224to determine distance and direction to electronic badges 126 allows theuse of fixed electronic badges 126 of known location to be used toidentify the position of the industrial vehicle 108.

Here, the information linking device 202 receives the identification andabsolute location of the fixed electronic badges 126 (i.e., fixedpositioning badges). When the badge communicator 224 encounters a fixedpositioning badge 126, the badge communicator 224 computes the directionand distance of the industrial vehicle 108 to the fixed positioningbadge 126. The information linking device 202 uses the information fromthe badge communicator 224 as an offset relative to the fixedpositioning badge 126 to compute the position of the industrial vehicle108. This information can be communicated by the information linkingdevice 202 to a display controller 220 via the vehicle network bus 218for display to the vehicle operator on a display 1402.

Yet further, if the fixed electronic badge designates a boundary to arestricted area, e.g., a bonded area, the processor in the industrialvehicle can take an evasive maneuver to avoid the bonded area if thevehicle operator is not judged to be authorized to enter the bonded areacomprising at least one of stopping the industrial vehicle and disablingthe industrial vehicle.

Next Pick Locator

Moreover, the server, e.g., interacting with the warehouse managementsystem database 124, can access the next pick location for theindustrial vehicle 108, which is communicated wirelessly to theinformation linking device 202 for presentation on the graphical display1402, e.g., by merging data obtained from the server and badgecommunicator 224 with a CAD map. In this regard, the end-of-aisleelectronic badges 126 can be used to inform an operator that theindustrial vehicle is in a correct aisle, or to direct the industrialvehicle as to where to go to achieve the next pick. That is, theprocessor of the industrial vehicle can take a predetermined action bycommunicating the position of the industrial vehicle based upon theelectronic badge ID to a server in order to receive back instructionsfrom the server informing the industrial vehicle of the location of anext destination for the industrial vehicle (e.g., next pick location).Likewise, the processor of the industrial vehicle can take apredetermined action by communicating the position of the industrialvehicle based upon the electronic badge ID to a server in order toreceive back instructions indicating whether the industrial vehicle isin or is about to enter a correct aisle. This information can augment orbe used in lieu of information obtained from an environmental basedlocation tracking system.

Zone Ranging Based Upon Vehicle Location

Referring to FIG. 15, according to further aspects of the presentdisclosure, the system can use geo-based features to create “excludezones” or exceptions from a generated awareness zone. By way of example,at position P1 the industrial vehicle 108 is in an open area and has asingle zone solely for sake of simple discussion. In practicalapplications, there are one or multiple zones. Regardless, the badgecommunicator 224 identifies three electronic badges 1502, 1504, and 1506and communicates the distance and direction of each of the detectedelectronic badges 1502, 1504, and 1506 to the information linking device202. Here, the electronic badges are analogous to, and can include allof the features of the electronic badge 126 set out in greater detailherein.

The information linking device 202 warns the vehicle operator ofelectronic badges 1502 and 1504 because these electronic badges arejudged to be near the travel path of the industrial vehicle. Theinformation linking device 202 sends to the server 112 via wirelesscommunication, information about the detection of all three electronicbadges 1502, 1504, and 1506.

At position P2, the badge communicator 224 detects electronic badges1508, 1510, and 1512 (also analogous to the electronic badge 126) andcommunicates the distance and direction of each of the detectedelectronic badges 1508, 1510, and 1512 to the information linking device202. The information linking device 202 sends to the server 112 viawireless communication, information about the detection of all threeelectronic badges 1508, 1510, and 1512. The information linking device202 can receive from the server 112 via the environmental-based locationtracking 222, or otherwise determine information indicating that theelectronic badge 1508 is in an exclude zone, e.g., a safe zone behind abarricade 1514. The barricade 1514 can be noted by coordinates on a CADmap or other format. Moreover, electronic badge 1512 is behind a wall1516. As such, the information linking device 202 warns the vehicleoperator of only electronic badge 1510 despite three electronic badgesbeing in the awareness zone.

In the course of the illustrated travel path including P1 and P2, theinformation linking device 202 warns the vehicle operator of electronicbadge 1502, 1504 and 1510 because these electronic badges 1502, 1504 and1510 are judged to be near the travel path of the industrial vehicle108. As noted more fully herein, a warning is dispensed to the vehicleoperator (e.g., via the information linking device 202 sending a messagevia the vehicle network bus 218) to initiate a horn, light, graphicaldisplay, combination thereof, etc., as set out more fully herein.Notably, however, the presence and location of all detected electronicbadges is logged.

Overtaking Regulation

In the daily operation of a fleet of industrial vehicles, there areoccasions where an industrial vehicle needs to pass/overtake anotherindustrial vehicle. Aspects herein provide overtaking regulation.

In general, a computer-implemented process for authorizing a passingmaneuver comprises receiving, by a processor, a first message, a secondmessage, and a third message. Here, the first message indicates aposition of a first industrial vehicle in a work environment. The secondmessage indicates a position of an electronic badge that is detected bythe first industrial vehicle. The third message indicates a position ofa second industrial vehicle within the work environment. Thecomputer-implemented process also comprises determining by theprocessor, that the second industrial vehicle intends to pass the firstindustrial vehicle, and determining, by the processor, an instructioncomprising a select one of an instruction related to a passing maneuveror an instruction not to pass based upon the position of the firstindustrial vehicle, the position of the electronic badge, and theposition of the second industrial vehicle. The computer-implementedprocess yet further comprises communicating the instruction to thesecond industrial vehicle, wherein the second industrial vehicleperforms the received instruction in response to the communication.

For instance, the first message can be generated based upon anenvironmental-based location tracking device on the first industrialvehicle identifying the position of the first industrial vehicle. Thesecond message can be generated by utilizing a badge communicator on thefirst industrial vehicle to detect the presence of an electronic badge126, e.g., worn by the vehicle operator, a nearby pedestrian, etc. Ifthe electronic badge 126 is worn by the vehicle operator, the firstindustrial vehicle may detect that the operator has stepped off of thefirst industrial vehicle, e.g., to pick an item. Likewise, the thirdmessage can be generated based upon an environmental-based locationtracking device on the second industrial vehicle identifying theposition of the second industrial vehicle.

Alternatively, the first and/or third message can be generated basedupon relative position information, such as by equipping each of thefirst and second industrial vehicles with an electronic badge 126 and acorresponding badge communicator 224. In this regard, each of theindustrial vehicles is capable of determining a relative position of theother industrial vehicle using techniques set out more fully herein.

In an example configuration, the processor can determine that the secondindustrial vehicle intends to pass the first industrial vehicle byreceiving by the processor, a first position of the second industrialvehicle, receiving by the processor, a second position of the secondindustrial vehicle, computing by the processor, a direction of travel ofthe second industrial vehicle, and predicting that the direction oftravel of the second industrial vehicle will require the secondindustrial vehicle to pass the first industrial vehicle.

Notably, the system for authorizing a passing maneuver can beimplemented using a central remote server computer. For instance, theprocessor that receives the first, second, and third messages may be aremote server computer such as the server 112 (FIG. 1). Here, themessages are received at the server computer from at least one of thefirst industrial vehicle or the second industrial vehicle. For instance,the first industrial vehicle may wirelessly communicate the firstmessage and the second message to the server computer, and the secondindustrial vehicle may communicate the third message to the servercomputer. However, where the industrial vehicles are capable of local,direct communication, it is possible that the server may receive themessages from one of the industrial vehicles, e.g., where one industrialvehicle acts as a relay or otherwise gathers all of the necessaryinformation. Here, the server transmits the instruction for delivery tothe second industrial vehicle, e.g., by communicating directly with thesecond industrial vehicle, or by communicating the instruction to thefirst industrial vehicle for relay to the second industrial vehicle.

In this example configuration, the server can continuously monitor thepositions of industrial vehicles in a fleet of industrial vehicles, andjudge that a passing maneuver may be desired based upon vehicleposition, speed and travel direction. For instance, the server computercan utilize a map of a portion of a warehouse to understand that thefirst industrial vehicle is parked in an aisle. If the vehicle operatoris detected off of the industrial vehicle, then the server computer caninfer that the operator is an order picker performing a pick operationin an illustrative example. The server computer can also query resourcessuch as the WMS database 120 (FIG. 1) to establish a confidence that theoperator is performing a pick operation by matching the industrialvehicle location to a pick order.

In alternative configurations, there is no need for a server computer,such as where the first industrial vehicle and the second industrialvehicle are capable of temporary local communication. That is, thecomputer-implemented process for carrying out an overtake maneuver canbe carried out independent of interaction with a remote server computer.For instance, in a first example implementation, the processor comprisesthe control module 206 (FIG. 2) of the first industrial vehicle, i.e.,the industrial vehicle to be passed/overtaken. Here, the first messageis received, e.g., from the environmental-based location tracking device222 (FIG. 2) of the first industrial vehicle. Where an environmentalbased location tracking device 220 is unavailable to the firstindustrial vehicle, then a localized, relative coordinate system can becreated, e.g., by assuming that the first industrial vehicle is at aknown position, e.g., an origin. The second message is received from thebadge communicator 224 (FIG. 2) of the first industrial vehicle asdescribed more fully herein. The third message can be received from thesecond industrial vehicle via direct local communication independent ofthe server 112 (FIG. 1), such as where each industrial vehicle includesan electronic badge 126 and badge communicator 224. That is, the badgecommunicator 224 on the first industrial vehicle can detect anelectronic badge 126 on the second industrial vehicle. As anotherexample, a badge communicator 224 on the second industrial vehicle candetect an electronic badge on the first industrial vehicle, and send alocal message to the first industrial vehicle, by using the badgecommunicators 224 and badges, as described more fully herein, or byotherwise creating a temporary local network using UWB, or othercommunication technology.

Likewise, the processor can be implemented by the control module 206(FIG. 2) of the second industrial vehicle, i.e., the industrial vehicleintending to pass/overtake the other industrial vehicle. For instance,the second industrial vehicle can receive a local communication from thefirst industrial vehicle designating the position of the vehicle,pedestrian wearing an electronic badge, or both, in a manner analogousto that noted above. Moreover, the second industrial vehicle canidentify the location of the first industrial vehicle via an electronicbadge 126 associated with the first industrial vehicle and thepedestrian, e.g., order picker wearing an electronic badge, both using abadge communicator 224 as set out more fully herein. In this exampleimplementation, the second industrial vehicle can make the decision asto whether to overtake the first industrial vehicle by gathering allrelevant data directly.

By way of an illustrative example, an electronic badge 126 can beattached or otherwise mounted to each of the first and second industrialvehicles. When the industrial vehicles approach each other, the badgecommunicator 224 on each industrial vehicle recognizes the electronicbadge on the other industrial vehicle. Thus, a temporary, short-range,direct vehicle-to-vehicle mesh communication network is establishedbetween the first industrial vehicle and the second industrial vehicle,by communicating from the electronic badge on the first industrialvehicle to the badge communicator on the second industrial vehicle, andcommunicating from the electronic badge on the second industrial vehicleto the badge communicator of the first industrial vehicle.

This interaction can trigger a program to begin monitoring thevehicle-vehicle interaction, including taking action in response to anovertake maneuver. For instance, the electronic badge 124 on the firstindustrial vehicle can identify itself as an order picker industrialvehicle. The second industrial vehicle can read this badge ID, and begina program to monitor for an overtake scenario. The industrial vehiclescan also create a temporary, short-range, direct vehicle-to-vehicle meshcommunication network and begin passing information back and forth.

As noted more fully herein, the badge communicator may detect theposition of the electronic badge 126 as a relative offset to theposition of the first industrial vehicle. An environmental-basedlocation tracking device can be used for determining or otherwisecomputing an absolute location of the first industrial vehicle. In thisregard, a processor, e.g., part of the information linking device,performs the operation of computing an absolute position of theelectronic badge 126 based upon the absolute position of the industrialvehicle and the detected offset. As such, the server receives from thefirst industrial vehicle (e.g., via the information linking device), amessage indicating the absolute position of an electronic badge 126 thatis detected by the first industrial vehicle. Alternatively, the positioncan be communicated as an absolute position of the industrial vehicle,and a relative offset of the badge to the industrial vehicle.

Where the server determines that it is okay for the second industrialvehicle to pass the first industrial vehicle, the server may perform anoperation comprising generating a control message based upon a desiredpassing maneuver, and sending the control message to at least oneelectrical component of the second industrial vehicle. Thus, the secondindustrial vehicle processes the control message to directly control(e.g., controls at least one of speed and travel path of the secondindustrial vehicle while passing the first industrial vehicle), set alimit (e.g., maximum allowable speed) to an operational parameter of thesecond industrial vehicle, communicate a message to an operator of thesecond industrial vehicle, perform a combination thereof, etc. Forinstance, the second industrial vehicle 108B can receive an informationmessage, e.g., from the server 112 (FIG. 1), the first industrialvehicle 108 via the badge communicator 224, generated directly on thesecond industrial vehicle itself, etc. In response to processing theinformation message, a processor on the second industrial vehicle 108Bgenerates on a display, a map of the work environment, first indiciarepresenting the position of the first industrial vehicle and secondindicia representing the position of the electronic badge detected bythe first industrial vehicle. The server then detects that the secondindustrial vehicle has passed the first industrial vehicle, and sends amessage to the second industrial vehicle resetting the second industrialvehicle back to its state before processing the control message.

In a manner similar to the example discussed with reference to FIG. 13,the server can send an information message to the second industrialvehicle, where the second industrial vehicle processes the informationmessage and generates on a display, a map of the aisle, first indiciarepresenting the location of the first industrial vehicle and secondindicia representing the location of the badge detected by the firstindustrial vehicle.

It is conceivable that the server will also receive at least one messagefrom a third industrial vehicle indicating that the third industrialvehicle is in the aisle of the first industrial vehicle (e.g., such thattwo or more vehicles want to pass the parked vehicle at or near the sametime). In this instance, the server determines that the third industrialvehicle intends to pass the first industrial vehicle in the aisle inclose proximity in time to the intent of the second industrial vehicleto pass the first industrial vehicle. Moreover, the server arbitrates apriority to pass the first industrial vehicle, and sends a message tothe second industrial vehicle and the third industrial vehicle with thepriority to pass the first industrial vehicle. For instance, where it isjudged that the order picker is out of the aisle, e.g., the order pickeris in a bin, back on the parked vehicle, etc., the server may allow boththe second industrial vehicle and the third industrial vehicle to passthe first industrial vehicle at the same time where the serverdetermines that the aisle is wide enough to allow both the secondindustrial vehicle and the third industrial vehicle to pass the firstindustrial vehicle based upon the position of the first industrialvehicle in the aisle. Moreover, the server can set a priority inpassing/overtaking the parked vehicle, e.g., based upon travel directionor other factors.

In an alternative configuration, the system may eliminate the need tocommunicate with the server 112, such as where the industrial vehicles108 and/or electronic badges 126 can form a mesh network for localcommunication with each other. Here, a processor on one of theindustrial vehicles, e.g., the parked industrial vehicle, can performfunctions analogous to that of the server as set out in greater detailherein.

As an example, industrial vehicle 108A informs industrial vehicle 108Bdirectly that an operator wearing an electronic badge 126 is present inthe area and instructs industrial vehicle 108B to “slow down”. By way ofillustration, a mesh network can be temporarily created by mounting anelectronic badge 126 on each industrial vehicle, and using theelectronic badges 126 and badge communicators 224 to form direct localcommunication. Alternative technologies can also/alternatively beutilized to create the mesh network. Additionally, in this exampleimplementation, since a map is located in the industrial vehicles, alongwith the location-based, and other rules, the industrial vehicle 108Bdoesn't need to communicate back to the server 112 to find out if apedestrian is in a zone. It can make that decision itself, e.g., basedupon a communication from industrial vehicle 108A.

Picker Around Acknowledgement for Overtaking Regulation

Referring to FIG. 16, according to still further aspects of the presentdisclosure, an electronic badge 126 worn by a worker implementing apre-defined role, e.g., an order picker, can affect overtaking actionswhere an industrial vehicle intends to pass another industrial vehicle.As illustrated, the first industrial vehicle 108A is parked because anorder picker wearing an electronic badge 126 is in a bin picking anitem. The server 112 receives a communication from the first industrialvehicle 108A indicating that the order picker has stepped off theindustrial vehicle, and is in the bin/racking. Assume a secondindustrial vehicle 108B wants to pass the industrial vehicle 108A. It ispossible that the operator of the second industrial vehicle 108B cannotsee the order picker. Moreover, the order picker may be out of range ofthe badge communicator of the second industrial vehicle 108B. Yetfurther, the order picker may pop out from the racking abruptly.

As such, the first industrial vehicle 108A detects that the order pickerhas stepped off the industrial vehicle 108A. The industrial vehicle 108Asends a message to the server 112 via its information linking device202. The message may be basic, that an order picker is off of thevehicle. Alternatively, the message can identify the location of theorder picker, as monitored by the badge communicator 224 of the firstindustrial vehicle 108A.

Meanwhile, the environmental location based location tracking 222 of theindustrial vehicle 108B informs the server 112 that it is driving downthe aisle. In response thereto, the server 112 informs the industrialvehicle 108B that an order picker is nearby and to pass with caution,e.g., via visual cues, messages, etc. The server 112 also informs theindustrial vehicle 108A that industrial vehicle 108B is about to passit. Further, the industrial vehicle 108A relays a message to the orderpicker to be careful coming out of the racking because anotherindustrial vehicle is nearby.

In an example implementation, the server 112 can also authorize theindustrial vehicle 108B to overtake the parked industrial vehicle 108Aalong a specified path that maximizes at least one parameter based uponthe position of the order picker, industrial vehicle 108A and industrialvehicle 108B.

In an alternative configuration, the system eliminates the need tocommunicate with the server 112, such as where the industrial vehicles108 and/or electronic badges 126 form a mesh network for localcommunication with each other, as described more fully herein.

Authorization Device

Referring to the FIGURES generally, as noted in greater detail herein,the vehicle operator can wear an electronic badge 126. This allows theelectronic badge 126 to function as a vehicleauthorization/authentication/control device. Here, the industrialvehicle 108 can dynamically enter various modes depending upon the stateof the vehicle operator. For instance, an electronic badge 126 can pairwith the industrial vehicle 108. If the electronic badge 126 is detectedon the industrial vehicle 108, the industrial vehicle 108 can switch on.If a mobile electronic badge 126 is in close proximity to the industrialvehicle 108, e.g., as worn by an order picker that is operating theindustrial vehicle 108, the industrial vehicle 108 can automaticallyswitch to a standby mode. If the electronic badge 126 is detected awayfrom the industrial vehicle 108 (e.g., a lunch break), the vehicle canswitch off. Moreover, where an electronic badge 126 is paired with theindustrial vehicle 108, this can prevent another person from drivingaway with, or otherwise using the industrial vehicle 108 when theindustrial vehicle 108 is in a stop mode or standby mode. Here, byassociating a vehicle login ID to an electronic badge 126 ID, anoperator can remain logged into a vehicle without physically being onthe industrial vehicle 108.

Warehouse Aisle Overtake/Collision Warning

Referring to FIG. 17, a system can be used for industrial vehiclecollision warning. Note that industrial vehicle 108A is parked and its(absolute) coordinates are communicated to the server 112. In theillustrated example, industrial vehicle 108B and industrial vehicle 108Cboth want to overtake the parked industrial vehicle 108A. Bothindustrial vehicle 108B and industrial vehicle 108C communicate theirposition, travel direction, speed, etc., to the server 112 (e.g., viatheir onboard environmental location tracking 222 and informationlinking device 202 as set out further herein), which tracks the activityin the aisle. The server 112 receives a message of intent, computes theintent or otherwise infers the intent of the industrial vehicle 108B andindustrial vehicle 108C to overtake industrial vehicle 108A. The server112 sends a message to industrial vehicle 108A indicating that vehiclesare approaching.

The server 112 then computes whether the two industrial vehicles 108Band 108C can pass industrial vehicle 108A side-by-side. In this example,it is assumed that the vehicles 108B and 108C would not fit next to eachother when passing industrial vehicle 108A. As such, a possiblecollision event could occur. In response thereto, the server 112 takesappropriate action.

For instance, as illustrated, the server 112 instructs and/or controlsthe industrial vehicles 108B and 108C to reduce speed. The server 112determines that industrial vehicle 108B is most suited to pass first, sothe server 112 instructs industrial vehicle 108B to overtake industrialvehicle 108A. The server 112 likewise instructs, commands, or otherwisecontrols industrial vehicle 108C to not pass until industrial vehicle108B has cleared out of the way.

In yet another example, an industrial vehicle 108A is parked at the edgeof the aisle on one side thereof, and the server 112 knows this absoluteposition of the vehicle 108. The server 112 also knows the width of thisparticular aisle and of all relevant industrial vehicles 108. When anindustrial vehicle approaches, the server 112 knows that the approachingvehicle is in the same aisle with the parked vehicle 108A. Then theserver 112 calculates if these two particular vehicle types would fitnext to each other into the aisle. For example, assume that a parkedvehicle is a first forklift (width: 100 centimeters (cm)). Theapproaching vehicle is a second type of forklift (width 80 cm). Thesevehicles would fit, because the aisle is 200 cm wide in this example. Ifthe approaching vehicle was also the first type of forklift, they wouldnot fit next to each other into the aisle because the aisle is 200 cmand the combined width of both vehicles is 200 cm.

In an alternative configuration, the system eliminates the need tocommunicate with the server 112, such as where the industrial vehicles108 and/or electronic badges 126 form a mesh network for localcommunication with each other, as described more fully herein.

Referring to FIG. 18, illustrates the avoidance of aisle congestion dueto pedestrians. As illustrated, a first industrial vehicle 108A in AISLE1 reports to the server 112, a large number of electronic badges 126. Aswith other examples throughout, this is accomplished using a badgecommunicator 224 to communicate with electronic badges 126. The badgecommunicator 224 passes the collected information to the informationlinking device 202, which passes the information to the server 112.Similarly, the environmental-based location tracking systemindependently determines that industrial vehicle 108A is in AISLE 1, andthis information is also passed to the server 112 via the informationlinking device 202.

Assume for example, the industrial vehicle 108B wants to travel downAISLE 1. The information linking device 202 and environmental-basedlocation tracking device 222 of the industrial vehicle 108B communicateits position to the server 112. The server is informed, and infers orotherwise determines that the industrial vehicle 108B is intent onnavigating down AISLE 1. However, due to the pedestrian congestion, theserver 112 instructs the industrial vehicle 108B to use AISLE 3 instead.

In an alternative configuration, the system eliminates the need tocommunicate with the server 112, such as where the industrial vehicles108 and/or electronic badges 126 form a mesh network for localcommunication with each other, as described more fully herein.

Response Detection

In an example implementation, the control module 206 of the informationlinking device 202 synthesizes information from the server 112, from theindustrial vehicle 108 (e.g., via reading vehicle operational data fromthe controllers 220 via the vehicle) via the vehicle network bus 218(e.g., CAN bus), from the environmental-based location tracking 222, andfrom the badge communicator 224 to monitor the response of the vehicle108 to a detected electronic badge 126. For instance, if a vehicleoperator is warned that an electronic badge 126 is in a warning zone,and the vehicle operator slows down, the decrease in speed is detectablefrom a controller 220 of the industrial vehicle 108. As such, upondetecting electronic badges 126, the information linking device 202begins to monitor industrial vehicle operational data (speed, change inspeed, abruptness/smoothness of corrective action, steer angle, use ofthe horn, travel direction, lift height, combinations thereof, etc.) toscore a response to each electronic badge 126. The score, or score datais communicated back to the server 112, which can process, aggregate,and compare scores across multiple vehicles, vehicle types, operators,etc.

Indirect Vehicle Operator Monitoring

A vehicle operator-worn mobile electronic badge 126 cooperates with thebadge communicator 224, and hence the information linking device 202 onthe industrial vehicle 108 to provide details about the activity of thevehicle operator that are not otherwise possible. For instance, theelectronic badge 126 can track steps, lifting actions, stairs climbed,heart rate, etc., and send that information to the server 212 via thebadge communicator 224 and information linking device 202.

Example Electronic Badge

Referring to FIG. 19, a badge 1902 (e.g., which can be utilized toimplement the badge 126 set out more fully herein), includes acontroller 1904 having a processor coupled to memory 1906. The memory1906 stores the program code that causes the badge to communicate withcorresponding badge communicators as described more fully herein. Theprocessor of the controller 1904 also executes code in the memory 1906to read sensor data, to interact with input/output, etc. In this regard,the memory 1906 further stores sensor data at least until such data iscommunicated to a badge communicator. The badge 1902 also includes abattery 1908 to power the badge 1902. In this regard, the schematicrepresentation of the battery 1908 is intended to include a battery,and/or a battery along with battery management circuitry, e.g., toconserve power, and perform other battery management functions.

The badge 1902 also includes a wireless device 1910 coupled to thecontroller 1904, e.g., an UWB radio compatible with the badgecommunicator on the industrial vehicle. Moreover, the badge includesinput and/or output devices, e.g., a buzzer 1912 or other I/O device1914, e.g., tactile device, button, display, light, speaker, etc. Forinstance, an LED indicator can be provided on the badge 1902 thatilluminates when the pedestrian is in a predefined zone of a badgecommunicator 224 on an industrial vehicle 108.

The example badge 1902 also includes at least one inertial sensorcoupled to the controller 1904. For instance, as illustrated, there arethree inertial sensors, including an accelerometer (e.g., 3-axisaccelerometer) 1916, a magnetometer 1918, and a gyroscope (e.g., athree-axis gyroscope) 1920. The accelerometer 1916 measures physicalacceleration. Comparatively, the gyroscope 1920 measures angularvelocity. The magnetometer 1918 acts as a compass, which is useful todetermine orientation. In practice, a badge 1902 need not include allthree inertial measurement technologies.

Yet further, additional sensors can be coupled to the badge 1902. Forsake of illustration, the badge 1902 also includes a heart rate sensor1922 coupled to the controller 1904 to capture the measured heart rateof the individual wearing the badge 1902. Moreover, an optionaltemperature sensor 1924 can be coupled to the controller 1904 to capturethe measured body temperature of the individual wearing the badge 1902.In practice, other sensor technologies can also and/or alternatively beintegrated into the badge. As such, the electronic badge 126, 1902 canbe used as a physical tracker, counting the number of steps that thevehicle operator, order picker, or other warehouse worker takes. Theelectronic badge 126, 1902 can also detect the number of times theworker bends, climbs stairs, etc. The mobile electronic badge 126, 1902can also keep track of the time while the operator is off the industrialvehicle 108, e.g., time walking, carrying loads, etc.

In certain implementations, the electronic badge 126, 1902 can be ahand-held portable device, such as a smart phone, tablet, palm computer,etc. For instance, a smartphone provides a convenient badge because thetypical smartphone already includes a display, speaker, accelerometer,processor, compass, etc. Moreover, most smart phones include or can beequipped with Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi, cellular, and other radiotechnologies. Yet further, smart phones facilitate rich integration byadding GPS, direct communication with a server

Referring to the FIGURES generally, a system for controlling anindustrial vehicle 108 is realized. The system includes an industrialvehicle equipped with an information linking device 202 that wirelesslycommunicates (e.g., via the transceiver 204) with a server 112 over afirst wireless communication link (e.g., to access point(s) 110, whichcomplete the communication via components 106 and network 104. Theindustrial vehicle 108 also includes a badge communicator 224 thatcommunicates with electronic badges (e.g., 126, 1902) that are in shortrange proximity of the industrial vehicle 108 over a secondcommunication link different from the first communication link. Forinstance, the badge 126, 1902 communicates with the badge communicator224 via UWB radios. In this example implementation, an industrialvehicle operator wears the badge 1902. As such, the badge 1902 isreferred to as an operator badge.

The system also includes a controller coupled to memory (e.g., thecontrol module 206 of the information linking device 202), wherein thecontroller executes program code stored in the memory to control theoperating state of the industrial vehicle 108 based upon the operatorbadge. The operating state of the industrial vehicle 108 is controlledby identifying that an operator possessing the operator badge 1902 hasapproached the industrial vehicle 108 to log onto the industrialvehicle. In an example implementation, the control module 206 determinesthat the operator intends to log onto the industrial vehicle 108 wherethe industrial vehicle is currently not paired with another operator,and the presence of the operator badge 1902 is detected as beingphysically present on the industrial vehicle 108.

For instance, using a communication of the operator badge 1902 with thebadge communicator 224, which is conveyed to the information linkingdevice 202, the control module 206 computes the relative position of theoperator badge relative to the known position of the badge communicator224. Also knowing the dimensions and layout of the industrial vehicleoperator's compartment, the control module 206 determines that theoperator is within the operator's compartment. As an alternative,sensors such as a presence switch or presence sensor (e.g., one of thesensors 214) is used to sense the presence of the vehicle operator inthe operator's compartment. In yet an alternative implementation,vehicle sensors 214 are used to corroborate computation based upon theposition calculation of the vehicle operator based upon the computedposition of the badge 1902.

The control module 206 communicates with the server 112 via thetransceiver 204 of the information linking device 202 to authenticatethe operator as authorized to operate the industrial vehicle. This canbe accomplished by receiving a badge identification (badge ID)wirelessly transmitted from the badge 1902 to the badge communicator224. The badge communicator 224 passes the badge ID to the informationlinking device 202, e.g., across the vehicle network bus 218. Upon thecontrol module 206 determining that the operator is authorized tooperate the industrial vehicle, the information linking device 202 pairsthe operator badge with the industrial vehicle. For instance, in anexample implementation, the badge-ID is linked to a person (personalbadge). This information is stored on the server and communicated tobadge communicator.

In this regard, the control module 206 controls the industrial vehiclebased upon a location of the operator badge 1902 relative to theindustrial vehicle 108. For instance, as set out in greater detailherein, in example implementations, the badge communicator 224 includesmultiple antennae 226 that allows relative position determination of thebadge 1902. The system further turns the industrial vehicle 108 on whenthe badge communicator 224 detects the operator badge 1902 is on theindustrial vehicle 108. For instance, the control module 206 instructsthe vehicle power enable/conditioning circuit 208 to provide power tothe industrial vehicle 108 as described more fully herein.

The system further turns the industrial vehicle 108 into a standby modewhere the badge communicator 224 detects the operator badge 1902 inproximity to the industrial vehicle 108, but not on the industrialvehicle 108. For instance, in standby mode, the control module 206controls the industrial vehicle via communication with the controllers220 across the vehicle network bus 218, via selective control of thevehicle via the vehicle power enable/conditioning circuitry 208,combinations thereof, etc. This allows the industrial vehicle to bepowered, but certain features restricted in functionality or preventedfrom functioning. For instance, vehicle forks, drive, etc., can bedisabled from their current position, a brake can automatically be set,etc. In certain example implementations, the controller is furtherprogrammed for locking the industrial vehicle from use by anotheroperator so long as the industrial vehicle is paired with the operatorbadge and the industrial vehicle is in standby mode.

The system further turns the industrial vehicle 108 to a stop mode whenthe badge communicator 224 no longer detects the operator badge 1902 inproximity to the industrial vehicle 108. This lack of communication maybe further based upon a predetermined time, e.g., out of range for morethan 10 minutes, etc. This can be used to reserve the industrial vehicleor to keep the industrial vehicle paired with the vehicle operator forbrief durations where the vehicle operator must step away from theindustrial vehicle, e.g., for a short break, etc. In exampleimplementations, the controller is further programmed for locking theindustrial vehicle from use by another operator so long as theindustrial vehicle is paired with the operator badge and the industrialvehicle is in stop mode.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the operatorbadge 1902 includes at least one inertial sensor 1906, 1908, 1920 thattracks movement of the vehicle operator by generating movement data. Inthis example configuration, the badge controller 224 reads the movementdata collected by the inertial sensor and wirelessly transmits thecollected movement data to the badge communicator of the industrialvehicle. The badge controller 224 of the industrial vehicle 108communicates the collected movement data to the information linkingdevice 202. Moreover, the information linking device of the industrialvehicle wirelessly transmits the collected movement data to the server112.

In another exemplary implementation, the industrial vehicle furthercomprises an environmental-based location tracking device 222 thatidentifies an absolute position of the industrial vehicle 108 within alimited, defined environment over a third wireless communication link.In this example implementation, the badge communicator 224 of theindustrial vehicle 108 tracks the relative position of the operatorbadge as the operator steps off of the industrial vehicle to perform apick operation. Moreover, at least one of the information linking deviceon the industrial vehicle or the server computer computes the absoluteposition of the operator while off of the industrial vehicle based uponan absolute position of the industrial vehicle as recorded by theenvironmental-based location tracking device, and the relative positionof the vehicle operator tracked by the operator badge communicator.

The system also compares the computed absolute position of the operatorto coordinates of a storage location containing the requested pickcontent, where the coordinate information is extracted from a warehousemanagement system (e.g., WMS 120 of FIG. 1). Moreover, the systemverifies that the operator picked from the correct location based uponthe computed operator position and the identified storage coordinates,and transmits a message to an output device on the industrial vehicle ifthe system determines that the operator picked from the wrong location.

In yet another example implementation using the environmental-basedlocation tracking device 222, the badge communicator 224 of theindustrial vehicle tracks the relative position of the operator badge asthe operator steps off of the industrial vehicle to perform a pickoperation. Here, at least one of the information linking devices on theindustrial vehicle or the server computer computes the absolute positionof the operator while off of the industrial vehicle based upon anabsolute position of the industrial vehicle as recorded by theenvironmental-based location tracking device, and the relative positionof the vehicle operator tracked by the operator badge communicator.

The system identifies a weight of the pick content, where the weight ofthe pick content is extracted from a warehouse management system (WMS120 of FIG. 1), a scale on the industrial vehicle, etc. The system usesthe computed absolute position of the operator, and the weight of thepick content to determine how far the operator carried the pick content,and thus estimate the work performed by the vehicle operator. Using theinertial sensors on the badge, the badge communicator can also report tothe information linking device, any other relevant information, such asthe heartrate, body temperature, whether it is determined that theoperator had to bend down, how many steps were taken, etc.

The system records the weight in an aggregated total of weight lifted bythe vehicle operator over a predetermined time period, e.g., a workingshift. Moreover, the system monitors the travel path of the vehicleoperator while off of the vehicle during the pick operation, e.g., torecord a first distance that the operator traveled to arrive at thestorage location, to record a second distance that the operator traveledto return from the storage location carrying the pick content, andcompute an amount of work performed by the vehicle operator based uponthe first distance, the second distance and the weight of the pickcontent. The system can also record other information, such astimestamps, and other data extracted from the badge sensors, as set outmore fully herein.

In still a further example implementation, the operator badge records,based upon at least one inertial sensor 1906, 1918, 1920 in the operatorbadge, a number of steps taken by the vehicle operator. The systemcreates a digitally stored computer record for the vehicle operatorbased upon information communicated from the operator badge to theoperator badge communicator, which tracks the number of steps that thevehicle operator took while off of the industrial vehicle.

As an additional example, the operator badge records, based upon atleast one inertial sensor in the operator badge, a number of times thevehicle operator bent over to pick up an item. Here, the system createsa digitally stored computer record for the vehicle operator based uponinformation communicated from the operator badge to the operator badgecommunicator, which tracks the number of times that the vehicle operatorbent over to pick up an item based upon inertial measurements recordedby the operator badge.

In still another example implementation, the information linking devicedetects that the vehicle operator is present on the industrial vehicle,records a total amount of time that the vehicle operator is present onthe industrial vehicle over a predetermined time interval, records basedupon at least one of an inertial measurement from the operator badge, ora seat switch on the industrial vehicle, an amount of time that thevehicle operator was seated while on the industrial vehicle. In responsethereto, the system creates a digitally stored computer record for thevehicle operator based upon information communicated from the operatorbadge to the operator badge communicator, which tracks the amount oftime that the vehicle operator is on the industrial vehicle, the amountof time on the industrial vehicle that the operator is standing, and anamount of time on the industrial vehicle that the vehicle operator issitting.

In still another example, the operator badge further comprises at leastone temperature sensor that tracks the body temperature of the vehicleoperator by generating temperature data. Here, the badge controllerreads the temperature data collected by the temperature sensor andwirelessly transmits the collected temperature data to the operatorbadge communicator of the industrial vehicle. The badge controller ofthe industrial vehicle communicates the collected temperature data tothe information linking device, and the information linking device ofthe industrial vehicle wirelessly transmits the collected temperaturedata to the server.

Similarly, in yet another example, the operator badge further comprisesat least one heart rate sensor that tracks the body heart rate of thevehicle operator by generating heart rate data. Here, the badgecontroller reads the heart rate data collected by the heart rate sensorand wirelessly transmits the collected heart rate data to the operatorbadge communicator of the industrial vehicle, the badge controller ofthe industrial vehicle communicates the collected heart rate data to theinformation linking device, and the information linking device of theindustrial vehicle wirelessly transmits the collected heart rate data tothe server.

Computer System Overview

Referring to FIG. 20, a schematic block diagram illustrates an exemplarycomputer system 2000 for implementing the various processes describedherein. The exemplary computer system 2000 includes one or more(hardware) microprocessors (g) 2002 and corresponding (hardware) memory(e.g., random access memory 2004 and/or read only memory 2006) that areconnected to a system bus 2008. Information can be passed between thesystem bus 2008 and bus 2012 by a suitable bridge 2010 to communicatewith various input/output devices. For instance, a local bus 2012 isused to interface peripherals with the one or more microprocessors (g)2002, such as storage 2014 (e.g., hard disk drives); removable mediastorage devices 2016 (e.g., flash drives, DVD-ROM drives, CD-ROM drives,floppy drives, etc.); I/O devices such as input device 2018 (e.g.,mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc.) output devices 2020 (e.g., monitor,printer, etc.); and a network adapter 2022. The above list ofperipherals is presented by way of illustration, and is not intended tobe limiting. Other peripheral devices may be suitably integrated intothe computer system 2000.

The microprocessor(s) 2002 control operation of the exemplary computersystem 2000. Moreover, one or more of the microprocessor(s) 2002 executecomputer readable code (e.g., stored in the memory 2004, 2006 storage2014, removable media insertable into the removable media storage 2016or combinations thereof—collectively or individually, computer-programproducts) that instructs the microprocessor(s) 2002 to implement thecomputer-implemented processes herein.

The computer-implemented processes herein may be implemented as amachine-executable process executed on a computer system, e.g., one ormore of the processing devices 102 of FIG. 1, on a particular computingdevice such as the vehicle computer described with reference to FIG. 2,or combination thereof.

Thus, the exemplary computer system or components thereof can implementprocesses and/or computer-implemented processes stored on one or morecomputer-readable storage devices as set out in greater detail herein.Other computer configurations may also implement the processes and/orcomputer-implemented processes stored on one or more computer-readablestorage devices as set out in greater detail herein. Computer-programcode for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosuremay be written in any combination of one or more programming languages.The program code may execute entirely on the computer system 2000 orpartly on the computer system 2000. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the computer system 2000 through any typeof network connection, e.g., using the network adapter 2022 of thecomputer system 2000.

In implementing computer aspects of the present disclosure, anycombination of computer-readable medium may be utilized. Thecomputer-readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium, acomputer-readable storage medium, or a combination thereof. Moreover, acomputer-readable storage medium may be implemented in practice as oneor more distinct mediums.

A computer-readable signal medium is a transitory propagating signal perse. A computer-readable signal medium may include computer readableprogram code embodied therein, for example, as a propagated data signalin baseband or as part of a carrier wave. More specifically, acomputer-readable signal medium does not encompass a computer-readablestorage medium.

A computer-readable storage medium is a tangible device/hardware thatcan retain and store a program (instructions) for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,e.g., a computer or other processing device set out more fully herein.Notably, a computer-readable storage medium does not encompass acomputer-readable signal medium. Thus, a computer readable storagemedium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitorysignals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagatingelectromagnetic waves through a transmission media.

Specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readablestorage medium include the following: a hard disk, a random-accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), Flash memory, a portable computer storagedevice, an optical storage device such as a compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM) or digital video disk (DVD), or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. In particular, a computer-readable storage mediumincludes computer-readable hardware such as a computer-readable storagedevice, e.g., memory. Here, a computer-readable storage device andcomputer-readable hardware are physical, tangible implementations thatare non-transitory.

By non-transitory, it is meant that, unlike a transitory propagatingsignal per se, which will naturally cease to exist, the contents of thecomputer-readable storage device or computer-readable hardware thatdefine the claimed subject matter persists until acted upon by anexternal action. For instance, program code loaded into random accessmemory (RAM) is deemed non-transitory in that the content will persistuntil acted upon, e.g., by removing power, by overwriting, deleting,modifying, etc.

Moreover, since hardware comprises physical element(s) or component(s)of a corresponding computer system, hardware does not encompasssoftware, per se.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling an industrial vehiclecomprising: an information linking device that wirelessly communicateswith a server; a badge communicator that communicates with electronicbadges that are in short range proximity of the industrial vehicle; anoperator badge that is worn by an operator of the industrial vehicle; acontroller coupled to memory, wherein the controller executes programcode stored in the memory to control the operating state of theindustrial vehicle based upon the operator badge, wherein the controllerexecutes the program code to: identify that the operator possessing theoperator badge has approached the industrial vehicle; log the operatoronto the industrial vehicle if the operator is determined to beauthorized to operate the industrial vehicle; communicate with theserver via the information linking device to identify that the operatorhas logged on to operate the industrial vehicle; pair the operator badgewith the industrial vehicle upon determining that the operator isauthorized to operate the industrial vehicle; and control the industrialvehicle based upon a location of the operator badge relative to theindustrial vehicle to: turn on the industrial vehicle where the badgecommunicator detects that the operator badge is on the industrialvehicle; place the industrial vehicle in a standby mode where the badgecommunicator detects that the operator badge is in proximity to theindustrial vehicle, but not on the industrial vehicle; and place theindustrial vehicle in a stop mode where the badge communicator no longerdetects that the operator badge is in proximity to the industrialvehicle.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherprogrammed for: locking the industrial vehicle from use by anotheroperator so long as the industrial vehicle is paired with the operatorbadge and the industrial vehicle is in the standby mode.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed for: lockingthe industrial vehicle from use by another operator so long as theindustrial vehicle is paired with the operator badge and the industrialvehicle is in the stop mode.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: theoperator badge further comprises: at least one inertial sensor thattracks movement of the vehicle operator by generating movement data; anda badge controller that reads the movement data collected by theinertial sensor and wirelessly transmits the collected movement data tothe badge communicator of the industrial vehicle; the badge controllerof the industrial vehicle communicates the collected movement data tothe information linking device; and the information linking device ofthe industrial vehicle wirelessly transmits the collected movement datato the server.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the industrial vehiclefurther comprises an environmental based location tracking device thatidentifies an absolute position of the industrial vehicle within alimited, defined environment over a third wireless communication link;the badge communicator of the industrial vehicle tracks the relativeposition of the operator badge as the operator steps off of theindustrial vehicle to perform a pick operation; and at least one of theinformation linking device on the industrial vehicle and the servercomputer: computes the absolute position of the operator while off ofthe industrial vehicle based upon an absolute position of the industrialvehicle as recorded by the environmental based location tracking device,and the relative position of the vehicle operator tracked by the badgecommunicator; compares the computed absolute position of the operator tocoordinates of a storage location containing the requested pick content,where the coordinate information is extracted from a warehousemanagement system; verifies that the operator picked from a correctlocation based upon the computed operator position and the identifiedstorage coordinates; and transmits a message to an output device on theindustrial vehicle if the operator picked from a wrong location.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the industrial vehicle further comprises anenvironmental based location tracking device that identifies an absoluteposition of the industrial vehicle within a limited, defined environmentover a third wireless communication link; the badge communicator of theindustrial vehicle tracks the relative position of the operator badge asthe operator steps off of the industrial vehicle to perform a pickoperation; and at least one of the information linking device on theindustrial vehicle and the server computer: computes an absoluteposition of the operator while off of the industrial vehicle based uponthe absolute position of the industrial vehicle as recorded by theenvironmental based location tracking device and the relative positionof the vehicle operator tracked by the badge communicator; compares thecomputed absolute position of the operator to a weight of the pickcontent, where the weight of the pick content is extracted from awarehouse management system; and records the weight in an aggregatedtotal of weight lifted by the vehicle operator over a predetermined timeperiod.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller furtherexecutes program code to: monitor a travel path of the vehicle operatorwhile off of the vehicle during the pick operation; record a firstdistance that the operator traveled to arrive at the storage location;record a second distance that the operator traveled to return from thestorage location; and compute an amount of work performed by the vehicleoperator based upon the first distance, the second distance, and theweight of the pick content.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: theoperator badge is further configured to record into memory of theoperator badge a number of steps taken by the vehicle operator, basedupon at least one inertial sensor in the operator badge; and thecontroller is further configured to create a digitally stored computerrecord for the vehicle operator based upon information communicated fromthe operator badge to the badge communicator, wherein the informationincludes the number of steps that the vehicle operator took while off ofthe industrial vehicle.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: the operatorbadge records, based upon at least one inertial sensor in the operatorbadge, a number of times the vehicle operator bent over to pick up anitem; and the controller creates a digitally stored computer record forthe vehicle operator based upon information communicated from theoperator badge to the badge communicator, wherein the informationincludes the number of times that the vehicle operator bent over to pickup an item based upon inertial measurements recorded by the operatorbadge.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein: the information linkingdevice: detects that the vehicle operator is present on the industrialvehicle; records a total amount of time that the vehicle operator ispresent on the industrial vehicle over a predetermined time interval;records an amount of time that the vehicle operator was seated while onthe industrial vehicle based upon at least one: of an inertialmeasurement from the operator badge, and a seat switch on the industrialvehicle; and creates a digitally stored computer record for the vehicleoperator based upon information communicated from the operator badge tothe badge communicator, wherein the information includes the amount oftime that the vehicle operator is on the industrial vehicle, an amountof time on the industrial vehicle that the operator is standing, and theamount of time on the industrial vehicle that the vehicle operator issitting.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein: the operator badge furthercomprises: at least one temperature sensor that tracks the bodytemperature of the vehicle operator by generating temperature data; anda badge controller that reads the temperature data collected by thetemperature sensor and wirelessly transmits the collected temperaturedata to the badge communicator of the industrial vehicle; the badgecontroller of the industrial vehicle communicates the collectedtemperature data to the information linking device; and the informationlinking device of the industrial vehicle wirelessly transmits thecollected temperature data to the server.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein: the operator badge further comprises: at least one heart ratesensor that tracks the body heart rate of the vehicle operator bygenerating heart rate data; and a badge controller that reads the heartrate data collected by the heart rate sensor and wirelessly transmitsthe collected heart rate data to the badge communicator of theindustrial vehicle; the badge controller of the industrial vehiclecommunicates the collected heart rate data to the information linkingdevice; and the information linking device of the industrial vehiclewirelessly transmits the collected heart rate data to the server.